The Formartine Area Committee met in Ellon this morning with a quite varied agenda.

We began discussions on the subject of the Local Development Plan 2017 Supplementary Guidance Document and minuted several comments for forwarding to the Infrastructure Service Committee for final deliberation on a future date.

We discussed some planning applications:
APP/2017/0869 – 2 Wind Turbines at North Haddo, Fyvie – deferred for a site visit
APP/2017/1392 – Extension to Existing Quarry at Lovie Quarry & Concrete Products, Methlick – Delegated Grant
APP/2017/1830 – Change of use from Forestry/Agriculture to Storage & Distribution (retrospective) – at Bruntstone Farm, St Katherines – deferred for a site visit
APP/2017/1841 – Eretion of a Dwellinghouse at Site Adjacent to Beech Lodge, Turriff – defer for further information

We noted the outcomes of an Appeal – at Aikenshill Farm, Newburgh to change use of a farmyard to Storage for Plant Machinery (in retrospect).

We then commented on the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2018-2023 and Housing Service Quarterly Performance Exception Reporting April-June 2017 (which as you’ll know I had the chance to deliberate at the most recent Communities Committee meeting).

Some applications were made for the Area Committee Fund, which were determined as follows:

Ythan Community Council (Tidy Village scheme) – £1,000
Balmedie Leisure Centre Association (Upgrade of CCTV provision) – £3,000
[please note, I left the room during that discussion due to my role as the Council’s appointment on the BLC Association]
Turriff Gymnastics Club (Replacement of apparatus) – £3,000
Meldrum Amenities Improvement Group (Christmas Lights) – £837
Rotary Club of Ellon (secure fenced and gated area for day care centre users with mobility issues) – £1,000
Foveran Community Council (Newburgh Seal Information panels)  – £1,921.50
Daviot Amenities Improvement Group (Christmas Lights) – £1,965

Belhelvie Community Council (Christmas celebration event) – £1,012 – this went a vote after my motion to approve, 2nd by Cllr Thomson was challeneged with an amendment to refuse and following the vote, which tied at 5 – 5, the Chair used her casting vote to refuse the application.

It is interesting to note that very few projects are coming forward for Area Funding from our Mid Formartine ward, so please if anyone has a project- do apply as we should try and get our fair share of this funding.
Thus far, £57,818.17 has been allocated to projects, 40.5% going to Ellon, 36.8% to Turriff but only 22.7% to Mid Formartine – lets get some of this cash !!

We noted the Statement of Outstanding business – which still seems very long but hopefully action taken soon on some of these items.

We concluded the meeting by discussing an exempt item in private on the Balmacassie Cementry Site in Ellon.