IT is already home to a quarter of the UK's rare and threatened flora and fauna. However, a depressing report yesterday forecast that young people could soon join the Cairngorms National Park's list of endangered species.

The 1467 square miles covered by the largest national park in Britain has long drawn those entering retirement. That attraction is starkly underlined by the new study, carried out by Heriot-Watt and Manchester universities for the park authority.

It predicts the number of people aged 60-74 living in the park will increase by 85-per cent from 2001 to 2025, while the number of people aged under 39 over the same period is expected to drop by 30-per cent.

The study estimates that around 114 affordable houses - roughly the equivalent of a village - will be needed each year, if the park is to have any chance of keeping its young people.

At present, there are around 16,000 people living in the park, with approximately 25-per cent over 60. But the group aged 60 to 74 has already begun to grow. At the time of the 2001 census, they numbered 2659, but this year the figure has risen to 3012.

The research was published yesterday at Coylumbridge at the launch of the draft plan for the park, which has gone out for consultation.

A copy has been sent to every home and business in the Cairngorms and anyone with an interest is being urged to take the opportunity to help shape the future of the park over the next 25 years.

Making housing affordable and sustainable is a key priority for the plan's first five years, the lack of access to affordable and good quality homes having been identified by many communities as a major issue facing the area.

Fiona Munro, the park authority's housing policy officer, said: "The popularity of the area means a high demand for housing, including second homes, increases prices beyond the range of many and places pressures on the special qualities of the park.

"In 2004, the average price for a two-bedroom property across the national park was between GBP98,000 and GBP110,000, with only 38 -per cent of people aged below 35 able to get a start on the housing ladder.

"We have to work with partners and others to develop some innovative solutions to encourage our young people to stay here - and be able to afford to stay here - so we hope to see some interesting comments and suggestions coming forward during the draft national park plan consultation."

The park authority board meets in the middle of next month to discuss the provision of land for housing, alternative ways to secure funding and land for housing development including private/public partnerships, and the supply of quality, affordable, rented accommodation.

Rhona Brankin, deputy minister for the environment and rural development, was also present yesterday and said the needs of local communities were key to the park's success.

Scotland's two national parks had been born out of the executive's land reform agenda which had local people at its heart, she added. "The Cairngorms National Park is a wonderful part of Scotland's natural heritage, key to the local economy and benefits people's health.

"It is essential that we manage it effectively and sustainably so that future generations can continue to benefit from it. It is a place where many people live, work, and enjoy themselves. Its future is in all their hands and I would encourage everyone to have their say in the consultation."

Ms Brankin also repeated the executive commitment given to those campaigning to have Highland Perthshire included in the park: that its boundaries would be reviewed in 2008.

The other priorities for action in the first five years of the draft plan are: conserving and enhancing biodiversity and landscapes; developing sustainable deer management; supporting integrated land management; improving high quality opportunities for outdoor access; making tourism and business sustainable; and developing awareness and understanding of the park.