The Banff and Buchan Area Committee met on Tuesday 26 May 2026 to discuss funding for coastal communities and review the inspection report for Macduff School. The committee approved the allocation of funds from the Crown Estate Coastal Communities Fund and agreed to a second tranche of applications, while also addressing a planning application for 47 Shore Street, Pennan, which was deferred for a site visit.

Banff & Buchan Coastal Communities Fund

The committee considered applications for the Banff & Buchan Crown Estate Coastal Communities Fund for 2025/26. A total of £118,961.03 had been allocated to the area. Following the initial allocation, £35,214.28 had been requested by eight projects. The committee agreed to advertise a second tranche of funding to allocate the remaining balance of £33,746.75. This funding will be advertised from 27 May to 24 June 2026. The allocation of these funds was delegated to the Banff & Buchan Area Manager, in consultation with the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Opposition Spokesperson, with a full report to be presented to the committee on 18 August 2026. Project completion timeframes were set to 30 June 2027.

The committee also discussed the reallocation of unallocated funds from the Ocean Winds Ltd Coastal Community Fund 2026/27. A balance of £2,611.07 remained after an initial allocation, due to Fraserburgh and District Men's Shed declining their award. The committee agreed to split this remaining balance evenly between two projects that had previously expressed concerns about their ability to secure the full project costs: Southlands Development Trust and Banff Castle Association.

Projects funded in the first tranche of the Crown Estate Coastal Communities Fund included:

• Aberdeenshire Council: £4,584.60 for coastal interpretation panels and waymarking posts along the coastal path from Whitehills to Banff Bridge and Banff Bridge to Tarlair.
• Aberdeenshire Council: £5,000 for coastal path improvements between Portsoy and Cowhithe.
• Banff Castle Community Association: £2,631.33 for clearing their moat, installing a bench, information board, and directional sign.
• Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit (CCRU): £5,000 towards replacing a twin outboard engine on their whale and dolphin research boat.
• Gardenstown Village Action Committee: £5,000 towards Phase 2 of repairing the seawall and upgrading the main access from the harbour through Seatown to Gardenstown Beach.
• Maggie's Hoosie: £2,998.35 for repairs to the roof and internal walls of a traditional fisher cottage and historical visitor attraction.
• Portsoy Community Enterprise: £5,000 for the restoration of the Soy Lady boat to be a visitor attraction outside the Salmon Bothy Museum.
• Sandend Harbour Trust: £5,000 for repairs to harbour ladders and rungs, replacement of lifeline housing, and refurbishment of benching.

Education Scotland Inspection Report - Macduff School

Helen James, Head Teacher of Macduff School, presented the findings of the recent Education Scotland inspection. The report highlighted strengths in the children's behaviour, positive attitude to learning, and the staff's teamwork and responsiveness to pupil needs. The Macduff Quests and outdoor learning approaches were noted as particularly engaging. Areas for improvement included the continued development of learning, teaching, and assessment approaches to ensure consistently high-quality learning experiences for all children, and the need for senior leaders to measure the impact of interventions on pupil progress to further raise attainment. The committee was asked to consider the report and provide comments to the Education Service. Councillors expressed their congratulations to Helen James, her staff, and the pupils for the positive inspection outcomes.

Planning Application for 47 Shore Street, Pennan

The committee considered a retrospective planning application for alterations to 47 Shore Street, Pennan, involving the replacement of pan tiles with slate and the installation of rooflights. The property is a Category C listed building within the Pennan Conservation Area. The application was recommended for refusal by officers due to the use of Spanish slate, which was considered to be at odds with the traditional character of the conservation area and the historic nature of the property.

During the discussion, concerns were raised by Councillor Mark Findlater regarding the process, noting that a tandem application for listed building consent had already been refused under delegated powers, and questioning how this would sit with a potential approval of the planning application. Officers explained that the listed building consent refusal would stand regardless of the planning decision, and enforcement action would likely follow.

Councillor Sutherland questioned the consistency of roofing materials in the conservation area, pointing out various finishes on neighbouring properties. Mr. Norman, a planner, explained that while there is a variance, the distinctive character of the North East of Scotland is a mix of Welsh slate and pan tile roofs, and that the property was listed with a pan tile roof in 1971.

Mr. Oosterhof, the applicant, spoke in support of the retrospective application, stating that the original pan tiles were crumbling and difficult to replace with suitable clay tiles. He explained that Spanish slate was chosen as it matched a recently approved beach hut nearby and was considered to be of good quality and in keeping with surrounding houses. He also presented a photograph from 1965, suggesting that part of the roof was already slated at that time.

Following extensive debate and questions regarding the process, the role of Historic Environment Scotland, and the impact on the conservation area, Councillor John Cox moved for a site visit to be undertaken. This motion was seconded and supported by several councillors, who also requested further clarification from Historic Environment Scotland regarding their position and for the applicant's photograph to be included in the papers. The committee agreed to defer the decision on APP/2025/1998 for a site visit on 9 June, with a request for further clarity from Historic Environment Scotland and for any enforcement action to be paused pending the outcome of the process.

Outstanding Business

The committee noted the statement of outstanding business. A request was made for the informal session with Economic Development to be brought forward, with members expressing concerns about the focus on the economy. The Area Manager confirmed that a session was planned for 27 October 2026. A briefing note on the approach to street lighting was also requested.