Formartine Councillors met on SKYPE for the first time today due to the current Coronavirus situation – with few issues and all matters dealt with.

The opening papers were on Education – first of all discussion was had on the revised and updated Draft Council Policy on ‘Promoting and reducing exclusions in Aberdeenshire schools’ – which will replace a previous 2006 policy, with our comments reported back to the Education & Childrens Services Committee at a later time.
The second paper asked us to consider and provide comments on the recent Inspection Report of Ellon Academy, which was actually quite positive.
The report we discussed can be viewed here:
https://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/FunctionsPage.aspx?dsid=103556&action=GetFileFromDB

There were a number of Planning Applications (for this ward) discussed.
First of all we had APP/2019/2775 – Full Planning Permission for Change of Use from Agricultural Buildings and outside space to Storage (Class 6) at Hillhead of Muirton, Whitecairns, we heard a request to speak from Mr Catto the applicant. This was in front of Committee following myself and Cllr Gifford both asking for a referral to further discuss Policy R2 – Housing and development elsewhere in the countryside.
This application was deferred pending the receipt of a Transport Statement.

We then had two applications for the Meldrum House Hotel Estate.
First of all came APP/2019/2305 – Full Planning Permission for the Demolition of Steading and Erection of Three Dwellinghouses including Conversion of Cottage and Kennels into Ancillary Domestic Accommodation at the Steading site.
The recommendation was to grant, there was an unresolved objection from Infrastructure Services – Built Heritage – which is why this application was in front of Councillors.
Much discussion was had around that, particularly as Historic Environment Scotland had no objection.
The Archaeology service had recommended that in the even of approval, a Level 2 Standing Building Survey was applied as a condition.
This one went to a vote, with Cllrs Gifford and Adam moving to grant the application – and Cllrs Johnston and Kloppert moving an amendment to refuse on the grounds of an adverse affect to a historic building.
The motion passed by 8 votes to 2, with 1 no vote.
Following that, was a Listed Building Demolition Consent for the beforementioned Steading – which again had the recommendation to Grant.
The report stated in para 6.15, that “The Conservation Statement considers that the overriding benefit of removing the Steading is safety….the building would fall into further disrepair and collapse causing a danger to the general public due to its close proximity to the golf course”.
Again, this went to a vote, with Cllrs Johnston and Kloppert moving a motion to refuse, with Cllrs Adam and Gifford moving an amendment to support the recommendations. The amendment was successful by 7 votes to 3, with one no vote.
The only other Planning Application relevant to Ward 8 was a Planning Permission Application for the Erection of a Dwellinghouse and Garage (Change of House Type to Planning Permission Ref APP/2018/2039) at Kirk Brae, Tarves – again with the recommendation to grant.
The report detailed that work has already commenced under the previously approved permission, and that this application was in front of us due to an unresolved objection from Tarves Community Council.
We heard that the concerns mirrored their concerns from the previous application, that environmental health had no objections in relation to noise impact on amenity due to an air source heat pump, and that the planning service were satisfied with the surface water soakaway.
Given that assurance, members were satisfied to grant the permission unanimously.

Later in the agenda, we moved onto discussion on the Roads, Bridges, Landscape and Flooding Works Programmes 2020-2021 – which are likely to be delayed in some way due to the covid 19 issues hampering some progress at present.
£5,493,670 has been allocated to Road Maintenance for this period, with £789,000 to Winter Maintenance and £913,000 to General Maintenance.

Mid Formartine Projects will be as follows:

* Bitmac Overlay Resurfacing on –
C38S – Earlsford
* High Stress Dressing on –
A920 Saphock to C77C, & Corner at North Mains, Pitmedden
B999 Tillycorthie to Auchloon Ph2, Denend Cottages, & Yardbury to Tillyeve
B9005 Tanglandford to Lovies
C2C Cultercullen
C48S Gammons to Blackbog
U72C Shadowside
U72C B9170 to Shadowside
* Prep Only works on –
B9000 Allathan to Logierieve
B9070 Overton at Keithfield
C7C Orchardtown to C2C
C50S Petty to U48S
C63L U93L to U93AL
C76C Lochter Fishery to Mill of Lumphart
C82B Waulkmill
U234C Tolquhon
* Surface Dressing works on –
U71C Airyhillock
* AWPR HRA works at –
A92 – Blackdog Ph1
B977 – Orrock Stables
* Drainage Works on –
A920 Oldmeldrum Bypass
A920 C76C to Drum of Wartle (Gullies)
B977 Muirton
B9000 Logierieve culvert
C37C Tulloford
U53S Mill of Crichie
U70C Barradale Cottages
* Footway Works –
Balmedie – Old Aberdeen Road Phase 1 (Slurry Seal)
Oldmeldrum – Albert Road & Kirkhill Drive (both Slurry Seal)
* Lighting Works –
Udny Station – Chestnut Walk – Column Replacement
Barthol Chapel – Lantern Replacement
Blackdog – Lantern Replacement
Oldmeldrum Colpy Road Industrial Estate – Lantern Replacement
Oldmeldrum – Lantern Replacement
Pitmedden – Lantern Replacement
Whitecairns – Lantern Replacement
There are also many Ward 8 projects identified on the “Reserve List”.

In terms of Flooding Protection, £15,000 has been set aside for Gourdie Park in Potterton for remedial works to existing culverts and trashscreens (including upstream storage).

Cycling & Walking works are identified – £13,000 towards a Country Style Footpath from B9000 Pitmedden to the Formartine United Football Pitch, £50,000 for Land acquisition and design for a shared use path between Oldmeldrum and Lethenty – and £60,000 for Meldrum Meg Way Ph2 – junction on B9170.

£5,000 for Speed Tables on Cowgate, Oldmeldrum.