Minute of the meeting held on Monday 17 January 2005 at Maryculter Community Hall.

PRESENT

Maryculter	Cookney / Netherley	Banchory-Devenick	Aberdeenshire Councillors
Avril Tulloch Bill Fraser Raymond Cowan (Treasurer) Kevin Park	Philip Smart (Chair) Rob Winmill (Vice Chair) Robert Keeler (Secretary) Bob McKinney	Kate Kleppang Duncan Petrie

9 Members of the Public

Presentation by Mr Malcolm Christie - Network Manager Roads Maintenance

Copies of the presentation have been distributed, giving details of the budget, staff and kilometres of roads in our area. Our share of the budget is about 15% of Grampian. He explained that all roads are inspected regularly, frequency depending on classification, with most road in our area every 6 months. The question and answer session brought up various concerns of the Community Council. In conclusion Mr Christie confirmed that he was happy to receive our comments on various road problems in our area and that he would do his best to rectify them. Agreed that his list of current problems/proposals in NKRCC area would form the basis of future discussion. Any complaints on roads should be sent to the secretary for passing on to the Council.

APOLOGIES – Mike Birch, Michael Sullivan, Sandy Wallace and Jill Greenlees.

MINUTES of the meeting of 13 December were approved.

1. MATTERS ARISING

New School – Nothing new on the proposed Lairhillock school, but there had been a press report on the possible closure of Banchory-Devenick School, and integration with Portlethen. We were unaware of this but a Parent produced a letter received that day regarding proposals. It was proposed that we consult with the school board.

Web site – Nothing to report

Roads – Covered during presentation

Western Peripheral Route – Mike Birch and Rob Winmill visited the site of Marywell/Charleston junction sites. An additional route has been raised, by Pitfodels which would affect Bennachar Camphill site. It was pointed out that his route was first suggested about 40 years ago and there is a corridor where no houses have been built. Agreed to write asking that Marywell Junction be given due consideration.

2. PLANNING

ALP - Public Inquiry – Philip reported on Blairs settlement hearing in December. NKRCC sought imposition of a small envelope related to the 70 houses suggested – very much smaller than Muir Group proposal. We had a fair and full hearing. Rob reported on the January 14^th hearing on Maryculter West (where 2 developers wish to build). Aberdeenshire Council had made a surprise statement, wishing to reintroduce settlements at Maryculter West and Netherley as those schools may stay open for 2 more years. The Council also suggested Banchory-Devenick should have settlement status at Reporter’s discretion. Long discussion about these 11^th hour ‘rabbits from the hat’. Much concern expressed about housing implications of Council statement that this “could affect North Kincardineshire as a whole” and the apparent abuse of consultation process by Aberdeenshire.

Rob directed (1) to express this concern to PLI when discussing Cookney, Stobhall and Banchory-Devenick on 20 January and (2) to stress to Reporter that NKRCC favour dispersed development not large concentrations of houses in rural areas.

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East Crossley - Agricultural buildings – There is a great deal of concern among our residents on the style of these buildings, being apparently far from agricultural buildings. i.e. two floors, windows and doors too small to allow tractor access. Rob had spoken to planning dept who said the development had not deviated from original plans, and that they were keeping a close eye on it, though did not know what happened to the septic tanks on site. It was agreed that we would write to planning dept. expressing our concerns and asking to see plans, as we were not aware that plans had been submitted for permitted agricultural development.

Third Party Right of Appeal – Recent consultation was completely divided between planners and builders (against) and Community Councils and individuals (in favour).

Supplementary Planning Guidance – Wind Farms – Now published, responses by 4 February. Rob and Philip to examine & respond based on our previous evidence to P.L.I.

Maryculter Organic Farm – No response yet to our letter regarding lack of toilet provision.

Blairs – 281 houses etc.- Further unfavourable report from SNH on this development ; no other progress.

3. FINANCE

200 Club Draw Final details of tickets sold had not yet been returned, we will hold the January draw at the next meeting

4. CORRESPONDENCE

Notice Board at Hall – Bob will enquire about cost..

5. AOCB

Meeting closed at 10pm

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

21 February 2005 at 7:30pm

21 March 2005 at 7:30pm

Visit our Website – www.NKRCC.org.uk