The Banff and Buchan Area Committee met on Tuesday 14 April 2026 to discuss several key issues, including the Pennan Conservation Area, the draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme, and the allocation of funds from the Banff and Buchan Coastal Communities Fund. The committee approved the Pennan Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan, noted the legal status of the Bankhead, and agreed to a revised approach for the Development Plan Scheme. Significant discussion also took place regarding the allocation of £100,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund, with a number of projects receiving partial or full funding despite the applications significantly exceeding the available budget.

Pennan Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan

The committee considered the draft Pennan Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan, which aims to preserve and enhance the unique character of the village. Paul Macari, Head of Planning and Economy, presented the documents, explaining the statutory duty to designate and manage conservation areas. He clarified that the committee's role was to approve the appraisal and management plan as planning advice, not to de-designate the conservation area, which remains a delegated power to the Head of Planning and Economy based on whether the area still meets national criteria.

During the discussion, Councillor Glen Reynolds raised concerns about the perceived lack of community input reflected in the report, particularly regarding residents' wishes to de-designate the conservation area. Mr Alistair Mackenzie, a homeowner in Pennan, spoke to express his view that the consultation feedback, particularly from a meeting on 26 June 2024, was not fully represented in the report, and that attendees had unanimously wished for the conservation area status to be rescinded. Andrew Noble, a former property owner and resident, spoke in favour of retaining the conservation area status, highlighting past improvement schemes and disagreeing with claims that nothing had been done since 1953.

Ultimately, the committee agreed to approve the Pennan Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan as planning advice, noting the detailed provision for the designation and review process, and the outline information on the legal status of the Bankhead. An additional recommendation was made to delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services and relevant officers to develop an action plan for the enhancement and safeguarding of the Bankhead area, with a focus on clarifying legal ownership and maintenance responsibilities. Councillor Reynolds proposed broadening this action plan to encompass wider challenges facing Pennan, which was agreed.

Draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme 2026

Alana Fordyce, Team Leader from the Planning Department, presented the draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme 2026. This document outlines the timetable for the preparation of the next Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan, with an anticipated adoption date of 2029. Ms Fordyce detailed the extensive engagement process undertaken, including public events, community council presentations, and drop-in sessions, which resulted in approximately 380 submissions for the Call for Ideas and 374 for Call for Sites .

The committee noted that the overall programme and proposed adoption date of 2029 remain unchanged, despite some slippage due to extended consultations and the resubmission of the evidence report. The committee expressed satisfaction with the draft scheme and agreed to the recommendations, acknowledging the informative nature of the engagement process.

Banff & Buchan Coastal Communities Fund 2026/27

Angela Keith, Banff & Buchan Area Manager, presented an update on the applications received for the Banff and Buchan Coastal Communities Fund, which has a total budget of £100,000 from Ocean Winds. A significant 23 applications were received, totalling £331,260.53, meaning the available funds were heavily oversubscribed.

The committee discussed each application individually, with many projects receiving partial funding to allow for a wider distribution of the available budget. Several applications, including those for the Broch Defibrillator Group, Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit, and Fordyce Community Association, were noted as potentially being better suited for other funding avenues, such as the Coastal Communities Challenge Fund or the Area Committee budget.

Key decisions included:

• Full Funding: Banff Castle Community Association (£18,482), Fraserburgh & District Men's Shed (£4,184 - after deducting delivery costs), Fraserburgh Cricket Club (£4,000), Fraserburgh Rugby Club (£3,024), Gardenstown Village Action Committee (£22,270), Invercairn Community Support Group (£21,227.40 - after deducting costs for memorial plaques), New Aberdour, Tyrie & Pennan Community Council (£4,040.64), and Training Days Banffshire CIC (£332.43).
• Partial Funding/Further Consideration: Gardenstown Harbour Trustees (£10,000 suggested contribution), Resorte Bowling Club (£12,495.19 for ramp and base), Sand End Surf Club (support for surfboard purchase only).
• Not Supported/Signposted Elsewhere: Fraserburgh All-Weather Sports Facility, Portsoy Community Enterprise (Scottish Traditional Boat Festival), Portsoy Community Enterprise (recreational activities), InverSport, Sandhaven & Pitullie Harbour Trust, The Forge Banff CIC, and Rosarte Boat Club.

The committee agreed to a pro-rata reduction for projects not receiving full funding, with the exception of the New Aberdour Beach Toilets and Training Days Banffshire CIC, which were fully funded as proposed by Councillor Ross Cassie and supported by Councillor Reynolds and Councillor Mark Findlater. This approach ensured that the total allocated funds were £100,005.95, with a small remaining balance to be split between the two fully funded projects. Unsuccessful applicants were advised that the Area Team would assist in signposting them to alternative funding streams.

Planning Applications

The committee also addressed several planning applications:

• 1 Braeheads, Whitehills (APP/2025/1729): Full planning permission for the erection of a fence was granted, subject to a condition that the colour of the fence be mutually agreed between the applicant and planners. This decision was made after considerable debate regarding the fence's material and its impact on the Whitehills Conservation Area, with Councillor John Cox proposing the motion to support the application with the colour condition.
• 70 Church Street, Portsoy (APP/2025/1684): Full planning permission for alterations and extension to a dwellinghouse was deferred pending a site visit. This decision was made after Councillor Richard Menard and Councillor Glen Reynolds requested a site visit to better assess the impact of the proposed extension on neighbouring amenity, despite a strong presentation from the applicant's agent, Michael Ritchie. Councillor Iain Sutherland argued against a site visit, believing sufficient information was available.
• Kirkton Heights Phase 2 Development, Fraserburgh (APP/2025/1683): Full planning permission for the erection of 175 dwellinghouses and associated infrastructure was granted. The committee welcomed the inclusion of affordable housing, with Kirkwood Homes confirming that these units would be built early in the development. Councillor James Adams proposed the motion to approve the application, seconded by Councillor Iain Sutherland. The decision was subject to the conclusion of a satisfactory Section 75 agreement and the listed conditions.

The meeting concluded with the committee moving to exempt business.