201558/DPP – Residential development (133 units) with associated landscaping and parking and supporting ancillary infrastructure

North Kincardine Rural Community Council (NKRCC) wish to register our objection to the proposed development (201558/DPP) which reflects our concerns as the Aberdeenshire Community Council directly adjacent to the proposed development.  Our response in objecting to this proposal also reflects our support for a significant number of residents within our community, predominantly in the Banchory Devenick area, who have expressed material concerns that the impact of such a development within the City boundary will have on them.

Specifically in relation to the proposed development within the City boundary we are concerned that should the development proceed it will establish a precedent for further urbanisation along the margins between the city and shire which will erode the definition between urban and rural zones.  If this precedent is established it will likely lead to increasing pressure from the developers to extend across the City – Shire boundary as outlined in their proposal for a preferred development site (OP) extending across Banchory Devenick and Tollohill.  If this were to arise it would lead to loss of valuable Green Belt land adjacent to the city.

Despite commitments from the developer to establish cycle and walking paths across the site, given the location and distance from amenities the development will undoubtedly sustain reliance on the car by residents of the new properties.  The application by the developer to Aberdeenshire Council planning department for permission to alter the Causey Mounth road in order to create access to the development will likely also support increased car use into and out of the development.  Whilst the developers intention for the site access from the shire side is to provide alternate access for emergency service vehicles, it will undoubtedly be used by other road users to access the development and possibly also lead to increased use of other minor roads even less well equipped to support heavy levels of traffic.  In addition to environmental concerns associated with increased traffic (affecting both City and Shire sites) there are potential road safety issues and negative impact on the quality of life of residents of Banchory Devenick.

Whilst the developer has made efforts to amend their plans following public consultation we do not believe that on balance the benefits from the development outweigh the negative impact to the rural environment and local residents that could arise should the development proceed.  With that in mind the NKRCC object to the proposal 201558/DPP.

Site To The South Of Mill Cottage Banchory Devenick Aberdeenshire

Formation of Access Road, Cycle Paths and Footpaths, Upgrade (Widening) of Causey Mounth Road and Access Junction with Leggart Terrace and Associated Landscaping

As a statutory consultee, North Kincardine Rural Community Council (NKRCC) wish to register our objection to planning application reference APP/2020/2492 relating to works within the Aberdeenshire Council planning jurisdiction associated with the proposed development at Deeside Brae/Den of Leggart (Aberdeen City planning application 201558/DPP).

Our objection is based on the concerns of NKRCC committee members in relation to the matter but also supports the overwhelming expression of public objection from members of the NKRCC community to the proposed works within the Shire area and by association the development across the Shire-City boundary.

The primary reason for NKRCC objection to the planning application relates to the precedent that would be set if planning permission were to be granted for APP/2020/2492 leading to pressure to allow further development across the land within the Banchory Devenick area that is presently owned by the developer.  Submission by the developer to have the wider site extending between Banchory Devenick over Tollohill included as an OP site in the next version of the Aberdeenshire LDP clearly establishes their intention.  Approving the current application, which provides direct access from the South Deeside Road via the Causey Mounth to the Western extent of the proposed development on the City side, also facilitates demonstration of road access for applications by the developer for further expansion within the Shire as outlined in their proposals for the next Aberdeenshire LDP.  This sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the Green Belt within the Shire that provides a most valuable transition from rural to urban environment.

North Kincardine Rural Community Council is in principle opposed to initiation of further large scale developments with our area and hold the view that ongoing housing allocation should be met by the current large scale developments at Blairs and Chapelton.  In that respect we cannot support application APP/2020/2492 if it establishes a precedent to support approval of future planning applications by the developer in Banchory Devenick/Tollohill area.

Within NKRCC we are also opposed to the application on the basis that providing road access to the Western side of the development via alteration of the junction of the Causey Mounth – South Deeside Road will lead to increased road traffic in a rural area.  The lack of local amenities at the proposed Western part of the development within the City Boundary, which has no through road from the Eastern side of the development accessed via the A92, will promote reliance on “the car” and access and egress via the Causey Mounth road, South Deeside Road and Leggart Terrace.  It is also likely that increased traffic will be translocated to the local rural road network that is not in any way suitable for increased traffic use.  While it would be expected that the developer would manage traffic and road use during construction, the suitability of the local roads within the Shire to the West of the development are clearly unsuited to the level of heavy traffic during build out.  We also note that the Aberdeenshire Council Roads department have requested additional time to submit their assessment, therefore since road alteration and implications for a change in the traffic density are key elements of the current proposal, NKRCC also identify this as a valid reason to object to the proposal at this time.

Whilst the developer has submitted detailed environmental and ecological assessments NKRCC remain concerned at this stage in relation to impacts on the River Dee (silt or pollution impacts on Atlantic Salmon, Freshwater Pearl Mussel and Otter, protected under the SAC designation) and note concerns from Scottish Natural Heritage highlighting the need for further assessment by Aberdeenshire Council.  Until this is forthcoming NKRCC also identify this as a material ground to oppose granting planning permission for the development on the grounds of the works required within the Shire area and by association the development within the City boundary.

Whilst we appreciate that each planning application is approved or refused on its own merits, this is a very unusual situation, with significant current and future applications being submitted in two adjoining local authority areas.  Any decision on this application must be taken “in the round” with the other applications by the same developer in the same area.  The fact that the Master Plan covers two local authority areas indicates that, in reality, the applications should be conjoined and considered together; anything short of this would make a mockery of the planning system and leave the applicant with what would be perceived to be a free rein to push forward with his whole project as he wishes, playing one local authority off against the other.

To conclude, based on the foregoing rationale and a duty to consider the views of the local community, NKRCC object to planning application APP/2020/2492

SCOTTISH WATER APPEALS FOR HELP TRACING LEAKS AND BURSTS IN THE NORTH-EAST 

Scottish Water teams are working hard to trace and repair leaks across water networks in the north-east, following the impacts of last week’s extreme low temperatures and the thaw now underway.

Local response teams are continuing to work across the region to maintain normal service for customers wherever possible. They are appealing for customers and property owners to help in locating leaks, whether on the public water network or in private plumbing.

They are particularly asking customers in these areas to check any empty properties, business premises, holiday homes, basements, out houses, field troughs or garden taps to identify where there may be any burst pipes.

Leaks and bursts within vacant premises could result in flooding and damage to properties and Scottish Water is encouraging all customers to check, where possible in line with current Covid-19 travel guidelines.

A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: “We are hugely grateful to customers for their patience and understanding while our teams have been working around the clock to maintain and restore water supplies in recent days.

“We are continuing to see very high demand for water in many areas, arising from the impacts of the weather on pipes, which has potential to impact upon customer supplies in some areas of the north-east. We are doing all we can to locate bursts on the public network and keep drinking water storage tanks replenished, including bringing in extra water via road tanker where possible.

“Our teams are targeting the areas with highest flows in order to find and repair any bursts or leaks. Any support property owners or members of the public can give us with locating issues is appreciated. We would also ask customers to check around their own homes, and any other properties they look after, in order to isolate and repair any burst pipes. This will minimise damage and assist us with maintaining supplies for customers across the area.”

Where customers are aware of leaks or bursts on the public water network, they are asked to contact Scottish Water with as much detail of the location as possible. Issues can be reported via the online reporting portal on Scottish Water’s website at www.scottishwater.co.uk/report.

 

Aberdeenshire Council is continuing to focus on clearing deep snow from roads and footways across Aberdeenshire after parts of Scotland were battered by Storm Darcy. Whilst a number of the main roads are now open, many side roads still require significant attention as a result of drifting snow.

Weather forecasts indicate that  temperatures are likely to increase. Depending on the rate of thaw, residents should be prepared for the potential of flooding once the snow begins to melt. Whilst this is a potential risk, it is still a risk, and therefore the ask is for all to be prepared.

The catchments of rivers such as the Dee, Don and Deveron extend into the Cairngorms, where there is significant snow accumulation that may result in flooding if we experience a rapid thaw.

Residents should take what measures they can to protect their homes and properties from flooding should the thaw happen quickly. Aberdeenshire Council, as part of our community has a key role but we recognise that all of the community have roles.

Aberdeenshire Council will work in partnership with SEPA, the Flood Warning Authority with responsibility for warning and informing the public on the threat of flooding. Aberdeenshire Council’s knowledge of known flood risk locations will allow us to support communities as much as we can, to ensure their resilience measures are as effective as possible. Such communities include, Aboyne, Ballater, Ellon, Inverurie, Kemnay, Kintore, and Stonehaven.

Aberdeenshire Council responsibilities

• We have an obligation to maintain roads and undertake certain emergency responses in the event of flooding, but this does not extend to private properties
• We regularly assess water bodies and can undertake maintenance works including the clearance of watercourses if deemed to significantly reduce flood risk
• We are responsible for the maintenance of road gullies on an annual cyclic basis to ensure that they operate efficiently to avoid localised flooding, however these drains are not designed to cope with the extreme weather events we are now witnessing on a more regular basis
• We have no statutory duty to prevent properties from flooding
• We have no duty to provide sandbags. However, when we can, we will make sandbags available at our main Roads Depots.

Residents/business responsibilities

• Residents and businesses must take steps to protect their own property from flooding as being prepared can reduce the damage caused and help keep them, their family and their property safe
• Protect against flooding by taking appropriate action to stop flood water entering your property – block doorways and other entrances to property with sandbags or alternatives products. If sandbags or other defences are not readily available a pillowcase or plastic shopping bag filled with earth or sand will make an effective substitute
• Residents are also responsible for maintaining private drainage including gullies and drains on shared private access roads and courtyards

Useful links:

Full details of who does what and where to go to for help if you need it is, is available at: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/environment/flooding/

For more advice about preparing for and dealing with emergencies, visit: https://ready.scot/

Register for future local flood alerts on SEPA’s website at: https://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/