For the purpose of this project, we are going to assume that because the original funicular has improved visitor numbers, an American company are keen to develop an extension.

The company, Melville Associates, are based in Denver, Colorado and have experience in developing and operating mountain railways. They consider the Cairn Gorm ski area to have potential and would like to put together some proposals. As this is the first time they have considered building in Scotland, they are unaware of the procedures to be followed or the agencies likely to be interested in such a development. They have asked Jane - a planner with Highland Council - to help organise a joint pre-planning meeting with them. The intention is to invite along interested parties who would be given the opportunity to voice their opinion on the proposed development. This meeting would allow Melville Associates to gauge the likelihood of achieving planning consent and the opposition they might encounter - in other words, would it be worthwhile for them to carry on with this project?