Formartine Area Committee met today for the April meeting at The Kirk Centre in Ellon.

We began with some planning applications, which were determined as follows:

APP/2018/0161 – Full Planning Permission for Partial Change of Use to Taxi Business (Retrospective) at 15 Carolines Crescent, Ellon – Refused

APP/2018/0062 – Full Planning Permission for Installation of 2 Biomass Wood Burning Boilers & Associated Log Dryer within Container at Meikle Whiterashes, Turriff – Refused
(following a vote of Councillors 8-2 in favour of refusal)
I voted for refusal as this proposal clearly is not compliant with Policy P4 Hazardous and potentially polluting developments and contaminated land and Policy C2 Renewable energy – as the emissions cause issues to neighbouring properties.

An appeal decision from the Local Review Body was noted – APP/2017/0462 – the building was adjudged to have been built on a different site of that of the original property, and did not comply with Policy R2.

There was an interesting paper on Flood Risk and Coast Protection programme of measures for the next year.
£8,000 has been pencilled in for remedial works to existing culverts and trashscreens at Gourdie Park in Potterton.
The officer was also asked to look into flooding issuea at Barra.

We then had a wonderful session with the Head Teacher of Barthol Chapel School, Mr Adrian Anderson, to discuss their recent Inspection Report.
This was a largely positive one, with the inspector noting:
*  Confident and articulate children who are proud to talk about their school and its achievements.
* Caring approach of staff.
* the positive start of Mr Anderson in managing the leadership of change & his relationships with staff.
* The positive contribution of parents to supporting the wider life of the school (e.g out of class activities)
The inspector states no further visits are required, which is credit to the school staff.

We then discussed Bridgeworks for the next year.
Aberdeenshire has 1,566 bridges – of which in Formartine 18 are ‘Large’ (15 metres and over), 60 ‘medium’ (5 to 14.9 metres) and 179 are ‘small’ (1.5-4.9 metres) – 257 in total.
Only one bridge in Ward 8 is highlighted for particular works (at a cost of £20,000) – that is the Mill of Lumphart bridge near Daviot which will get scour protection works.

Two applications for Area funding were discussed – and agreed.
Daviot Community Trust were awarded £5,000 towards the construction of a maintenance facility, for the garaging and maintenance of machines and equipment that are required for the on-going improvement and enlargement of the paths and general land/woodland that the group manage.
Fyvie Football Club were awarded £5,000 towards the renovation of their changing rooms to help the set-up of their new Welfare League team.