Minute of the meeting held on Monday 18 October 2004 at Maryculter Community Hall.
|
Maryculter |
Netherley |
Banchory-Devenick |
Aberdeenshire Councillors |
Avril Tulloch Rob Winmill – Vice Chairman Kate Kleppang Sandy Wallace
Kevin Park Robert Keeler - Secretary Duncan Petrie (Lower Deeside)
Bill Fraser Michael Sullivan
(Stonehaven North & Fetteresso)
7 Members of the Public
APOLOGIES – Bob McKinney, Jill Greenlees and Raymond Cowan.
Absent, Mike Birch, Philip Smart.
Congratulations to Jill on the birth of her son Ross.
MINUTES of the meeting of September 20th were approved, except amended – Aspire to Golf - should read “further 3 holes had already been signed off by Sandy, if an extra hole was required it would be subject to a new application”.
1. MATTERS ARISING
Web site – NKRCC.org.uk and NKRCC.org have been unavailable for some time. Philip to correct.
Western Peripheral Route – Sally and Neil McAllan reported on their attempt to persuade WPR team that a Marywell junction of WPR & A90 is a better option than Charleston. WPR team reluctant to accept – meeting planned 25th October. There is a degree of urgency as the OTHER Marywell junction (Cairnrobin and Stewart Milne’s 800 houses) may start as soon as January 2005. A joint meeting of the Community Councils in the area is to take place to discuss – no date set.
Roads – Banchory-Devenick Crossroads – Electronic warning sign should still not in place.
The council were aware of poor condition of roads in the area and Robert will write again to obtain approximate time for repair work to commence, and indicate further deficiencies, e.g. dangerous ‘split level’ road surface at Drumthwacket entrance.
New School – Nothing to report at present. Decision still with Scottish Executive. The new Portlethen school construction had commenced.
2. PLANNING
Blairs College – 281 houses etc – Nothing further to report.
ALP - Public Inquiry – Philip & Rob presented joint case on behalf of 7 or 8 objectors to the Wind Energy policy, which lasted all day. Spoke on the need to safeguard houses/people/amenity. Rob presented further objections on conversion of steadings (rules too strict) and on Business Development in countryside (rules too lax).
In all cases Rob reported that the new informal type of Inquiry was very relaxed, everyone had a very fair hearing and we felt that we had won some concessions, but will not know until report published next autumn. We are reserving the right to appear in the 3rd session to object to settlements (Cookney, Stobhall, Blairs, Maryculter)
Easter Ardoe – Waiting for Mike to report conversations with neighbours.
Jamestown Farm – WPR managers would no longer object, we will write in support of the new
application to convert steadings to 3 Houses(2 large 1 smaller) with business space(previously
approved but halted by WPR objections)
Lynheath Cottage – The owners have submitted an application to demolish existing building and
build a new house. They are having problems with the inconsistency of the planning department and
the application is scheduled to be heard at the council meeting on 26th October. Rob advised
applicant to ask to speak at the meeting and it was agreed we would write in support.
Maryculter Organic Farm – We have written expressing concern at loose wording of conditions
attached to permission, which seem to allow the shop to sell anything. Also our concern that there is
no provision for toilets even though there could be 5 staff and they would be handling food.
3. FINANCE
200 Club Draw
October Draw £5 no 139 - C Park £10 no.7 G Nicol - £20 no.23 S Warnock –
£25 no.35 Bill Fraser
Application for funds towards Christmas party by Maryculter Senior Citizens Association - £120 granted. Application from Maryculter Playgroup for equipment. Agreed to postpone until next meeting as are low in Funds. We have applied for our Grant from Aberdeenshire Council.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
Police report – Accident on the South Deeside Road where a pedestrian was killed. A driver had a lucky escape in another accident on that road. There had been no break -ins in our area but we should not become complacent.
Presentation by Stuart Robertson – Planning Gain Co-ordinator, explained the background to Planning gain. Developers are encouraged to discuss with him first to ascertain the level of planning gain that could be sought. Aberdeenshire was at the forefront of Planning Gain. Money from Planning Gain is ring-fenced for a specific purpose related to the development (new School , extra classroom, recreational facilities).
Community Councils could submit their views to him regarding Planning Gain on developments but no guarantees could be given. The minimum size of development that would trigger Planning Gain was 3-5 houses.
Presentation by Andy Hickling Policy Officer for Aberdeenshire Landscape Services Section
He summarised the areas that were covered, including Cemetries Parks, Open Spaces, Country Parks and Caravan Parks.
The Council does not now do much planting but supplied over 11,000 plants to other organisations.
The 300 play parks are inspected regularly to ensue there were no safety worries.
There is a small litter collection service on some roads. They were responsible for cutting verges but had had some problems with contractors over the last year or two.
If there are roads where whins need trimming please let them know.
There are some areas which are not cut for Bio reasons and community councils will be informed of those.
Other matters.
Proliferation of Wind Farms in the Mearns.
Concern was expressed over the number of applications in the Mearns area. William Munro indicated that there ws no procedure in place to restrict applications. Councillor Swapp pointed out that in the Local Plan only a small part of Kincardine & Mearns had Landscape designation significance which offered protection.
Proliferation of Mobile Phone Masts.
Concern was expressed at the number of applications and the fact that they were frequently decided under delegated powers. Mr Munro would look into the possibility of amending this.
The objects of the partnership are the promotion and support of community development, the advancement of education, furtherance of health and the promotion of benefit for persons who are resident in the area
Meeting to thrash out constitution, which was almost achieved.
Various amendments were to be incorporated, and issued to participants over thenext few weeks.
Secretary – As Robert will be away, Kevin agreed to take on his duties.
Maryculter Hall Committee – Robert to e-mail/write to all Community Councillors to seek a representative to replace Kevin. (Six meetings per year). Suggested if no volunteer each person takes it in turn)
South Deeside View – Rob reported that Trish and Carolyn did not wish to continue due to lack of time. The situation was discussed, especially in relation to securing funding to relieve the editors of that burden. Some concern at high printing costs. Agreed that Rob should discuss further with Carolyn and Trish
15 November 2004 at 7:30pm
13 December 2004 at 7:30pm
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