The Garioch Area Committee met on Tuesday 21 April 2026 to discuss parking in Burn Lane, Inverurie, and the draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme. The committee also considered planning applications for a restaurant with a drive-through in Inverurie, a change of use for an agricultural building in Kinellar, and a change of use of open space in Westhill. A summary report on the Garioch Community Plan 2022-2025 was also presented.

Parking in Burn Lane, Inverurie

The committee received an update on parking in Burn Lane, Inverurie, following a petition requesting the reinstatement of free parking. Data presented showed that since the introduction of paid parking in January 2025, income from Burn Lane Car Park has significantly increased, more than doubling in 2025 compared to 2024. Despite this, a survey by Inverurie Business Improvement District (BID) indicated that 81% of responding businesses felt the charges had impacted them, with staff parking difficulties and customer complaints being frequently reported. However, the survey did not provide conclusive evidence directly linking the parking charges to a decline in footfall or town centre performance. Overall town centre footfall in Inverurie has increased by 9.93% year-on-year, and activity has become more dispersed across the town. The committee was informed that a two-part parking review across Aberdeenshire will commence, with the first phase focusing on decriminalised parking enforcement and the second on a wider review of parking strategy, expected to be completed by March 2027. The committee ultimately voted to maintain the current parking charges at Burn Lane Car Park and noted the upcoming parking review.

Draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme 2026

The committee discussed the draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme 2026, which outlines the timetable for the preparation of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2029. Alanna Fordyce, Policy Team Leader, presented the scheme, noting that while there had been some slippage in the timeline, the overall adoption date of 2029 remained on track. The scheme details the ongoing analysis of submissions from the 'Call for Ideas' and 'Call for Sites' consultations, with preferred options for the Proposed Local Development Plan to be discussed with elected members by the end of 2026. The committee noted the proposed timetable and the engagement processes outlined in the scheme, with Councillor David Keating raising questions about the realism of the timeline and the definition of excluded areas in the assessment process.

Garioch Community Plan 2022-2025 Summary Report

Caroline Smith, Garioch Community Planning Officer, and Ann Overton, Area Manager, presented a summary report on the delivery of the Garioch Community Plan 2022-2025. The report highlighted progress in strengthening community engagement, aligning partner resources, and progressing priority actions. Key achievements included support for community-led projects, improved partner coordination, and targeted work on access to services and local resilience. The final year of the plan (2025/26) will focus on completing outstanding actions, evaluating impact, and developing priorities for the next community plan. Councillor David Keating raised concerns about the capacity of community organisations and asked what activities were being stopped to manage workload, to which officers responded that prioritization occurs at ward level meetings and through community action plans. The committee noted the progress and agreed to the proposed focus for the final year of the plan.

Planning Applications

APP/2025/1438 - Restaurant with Drive-Through, Harlaw Road, Inverurie

The committee considered a full planning application for a restaurant with a drive-through facility on land adjacent to Aldi on Harlaw Road, Inverurie. The proposal was recommended for approval as a departure from the Development Plan, despite an objection from Roads Development on policy grounds relating to sustainable transport. Councillors debated the principle of a drive-through in a town centre location, with concerns raised about traffic, litter, and impact on existing businesses. Supporters highlighted the creation of employment, the provision of a facility for young people and families, and the reuse of a vacant brownfield site. The committee ultimately granted planning permission, subject to conditions including restrictions on operating hours and noise levels, and agreed to delegate authority to officers to explore a potential reduction in delivery vehicle arrival times.

APP/2025/0323 - Change of Use of Agricultural Building to General Industrial, Land East of Mains of Tertowie, Kinellar

A retrospective application for the change of use of an agricultural building to Class 5 General Industrial at Mains of Tertowie, Kinellar, was considered. The building, originally approved for poultry farming, had been used for industrial purposes without planning permission. The Planning Service recommended approval, noting that the reuse of a redundant rural building on a brownfield site contributes to the rural economy and that no suitable alternative employment sites were available in nearby settlements. Roads Development objected on the grounds of non-compliance with ALDP 2023 Policy RD1 regarding sustainable transport linkages and infrastructure. However, the Planning Service considered that strict adherence to RD1 would be disproportionate and contrary to the spirit of supporting rural brownfield development. The committee agreed to defer the decision to allow for further information to be gathered regarding the internal layout of the building, including welfare facilities, drainage, and the status of a portacabin on site, as well as clarification on parking arrangements and the potential encroachment onto arable land.

APP/2026/0030 - Change of Use of Open Space to Garden Ground and Driveway, Land South of Leddach Road, Westhill

The committee considered a full planning permission application for the change of use of an area of open space to form garden ground and a driveway at Leddach Road, Westhill. The proposal was recommended for approval as a departure from NPF4 Policy 20 (Blue and Green Infrastructure) and ALDP Policy PR1 (Protecting Important Resources). The applicant sought to create vehicular access to their property, Del Dios, due to age and health concerns, as the existing pedestrian access is difficult. While acknowledging the loss of open space, the Planning Service deemed the impact minor due to the small scale of the area, its limited connectivity, and the retention of the open aspect and a mature tree. Concerns were raised by residents regarding increased traffic, parking, and loss of amenity. The committee granted planning permission, subject to conditions including tree protection measures and restrictions on boundary enclosures. Councillor David Keating raised questions about the Integrated Impact Assessment, specifically regarding the protected characteristic of age, and the committee agreed to delegate authority to officers to explore a potential reduction in delivery vehicle arrival times for the Inverurie restaurant application.

The meeting concluded with members moving to consider exempt business.