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Online only, Banff and Buchan Area Committee - Tuesday, 14th April, 2026 9.30 am
April 14, 2026 at 9:30 am Banff and Buchan Area Committee View on council website Watch video of meeting Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required) Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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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 Coastal Communities Fund. The committee approved the Pennan Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan, noted the outline information on the legal status of the Bank Head, and agreed to add a recommendation for officers to investigate the enhancement and safeguarding of the Bank Head area. They also approved the draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme for 2026, which sets out the timetable for the next Local Development Plan, and considered numerous applications for the Banff and Buchan Coastal Communities Fund, ultimately agreeing to fund several projects with a pro-rata reduction for some due to oversubscription.
Pennan Conservation Area
The committee discussed the Pennan Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan, which aims to provide guidance for property owners and planning decisions. While officers presented the documents as fulfilling a statutory duty and reflecting community feedback, some councillors expressed dissatisfaction with the process, feeling that the community's desire to de-designate the conservation area was not being adequately addressed. Despite lengthy debate and the inclusion of information on the legal status of the Bank Head, the committee ultimately agreed to approve the appraisal and management plan as planning advice. They also approved the continued use of existing and introduction of new Article 4 Directions to control additional classes of development. A key decision was to add a recommendation for officers to investigate the enhancement and safeguarding of the Bank Head area, with a focus on establishing legal ownership and potential maintenance measures.
Draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme 2026
The committee reviewed the draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme for 2026, which outlines the timetable for the preparation of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2029. Alana Fordyce, the team leader from the Planning Department, presented the scheme, highlighting that there were no overall changes to the programme or proposed adoption date of 2029, despite some slippage in previous timelines. The scheme detailed extensive community engagement efforts, including public events, community council presentations, and drop-in sessions. The committee noted the information presented and agreed to the recommendations, expressing satisfaction with the engagement process.
Coastal Communities Fund 2026/27
Angela Keith, the Banff & Buchan Area Manager, presented an update on the Banff and Buchan Coastal Communities Fund, which had received 23 applications totalling £331,260.53 against an available budget of £100,000. This significant oversubscription led to difficult decisions for the committee. After considerable discussion, the committee agreed to fully fund the New Aberdour Beach Toilets project and the Training Days Banffshire CIC project. For the remaining applications, a pro-rata discount was applied to ensure a wider distribution of funds. The committee also agreed to signpost unsuccessful applicants to alternative funding streams and invited them to reapply should future funding become available.
Planning Applications
The committee considered several planning applications:
- 1 Braeheads, Whitehills: Full planning permission for the erection of a 1.8-metre high slatted timber fence was refused. The committee agreed with the officer's recommendation that the fence was out of character with the Whitehills Conservation Area and contrary to local development plan policies. Councillor Cox's motion to support the application, subject to an agreement on the fence's colour between the applicant and planners, was seconded by Councillor Reynolds. However, after further clarification from officers regarding policy adherence and the potential for a departure from policy, the committee ultimately voted to refuse the application.
- 70 Church Street, Portsoy: Full planning permission for alterations and extension to a dwellinghouse was deferred pending a site visit. Councillors Cassie and Reynolds argued for a site visit, citing the need to physically assess the impact of the proposed extension on neighbouring amenity, particularly in relation to overlooking and overshadowing. Councillor Sutherland proposed an amendment to proceed with a decision, stating he had sufficient information, but the motion for a site visit was carried.
- Kirkton Heights Phase 2 Development, Fraserburgh: Full planning permission for the erection of 175 dwelling houses and associated infrastructure was granted. The committee welcomed the inclusion of affordable housing, to be delivered by Osprey Housing, and the early commencement of its construction. The application was seen as a positive step in unlocking the allocated site for development and addressing housing needs in Fraserburgh. The decision was delegated to the Head of Planning and Economy, subject to the conclusion of a satisfactory Section 75 agreement and conditions outlined in the report.
The meeting also included the usual administrative items, such as the approval of minutes and the review of outstanding business. Declarations of interest were made by several councillors concerning various agenda items.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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The Banff and Buchan Area Committee decided to defer consideration of the application. This decision was made on 14/04/2026 pending a site visit.
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Banff and Buchan Area Committee agreed the 2026/2027 Housing and Building Standards Supplementary Procurement Report on 14/04/2026. The purpose was affordable housing supplementary procurements.
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The Banff and Buchan Area Committee of Aberdeenshire Council approved the draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme 2026 on 14/04/2026. The committee agreed the recommendations as per the report. The scheme sets out the draft programme for the preparation of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2029.
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The Banff and Buchan Area Committee of Aberdeenshire Council noted the Statement of Outstanding Business on 14 April 2026. The Committee agreed to dismiss Item 4 of outstanding business.
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The Banff and Buchan Area Committee approved the Supplementary Annual Procurement Plan for Education and Children's Services Directorate on 14/04/2026. This plan allows for a construction project at Fraserburgh South Park School. The project will establish a fully equipped hygiene room and an accessible platform lift.
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The Banff and Buchan Area Committee approved the award of the catering contract at Macduff Aquarium on 14 April 2026.
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The Banff and Buchan Area Committee noted declarations of interest and transparency statements on 14/04/2026. Councillors Sutherland, Cox, Reynolds, and James Adams made statements or declarations regarding their connections to items discussed. Councillor Cox and Councillor Sutherland recused themselves from specific agenda items.
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The Banff and Buchan Area Committee agreed to Grant Full Planning Permission for the erection of 175 dwellinghouses and associated infrastructure at Kirkton Heights Phase 2 Development, Boothby Road, Fraserburgh on 14 April 2026. This decision was subject to a Section 75 agreement and conditions as outlined in the report. Developer obligations have been agreed towards affordable housing, sport and recreation facilities, healthcare, and waste recycling.
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APP/2025/1729 - Full Planning Permission for Erection of Fence, 1 Braeheads, Whitehills, AB45 2NP
For DeterminationThe Banff and Buchan Area Committee decided to delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Economy to grant Full Planning Permission for the erection of a fence at 1 Braeheads, Whitehills, AB45 2NP on 14/04/2026. This decision is subject to conditions, including agreement on the fence's colour finish.
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Pennan Conservation Area
AgreedThe Banff and Buchan Area Committee agreed to the recommendations in the report on 14/04/2026. The committee instructed the Director of EIS to clarify the legal status of Bankhead and report back, and instructed the Head of Service, Planning & Economy to develop a wider action plan for Pennan.
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The Banff and Buchan Area Committee decided to approve funding for fifteen applications and refuse eight applications for the Coastal Communities Fund 2026/27. The committee made these decisions on 14/04/2026. The committee agreed to signpost unsuccessful applications to alternative funding streams and invite them to reapply should future funding be available.
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