The Formartine Area Committee of Aberdeenshire Council met on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, to discuss a range of local issues. Key decisions included the approval of a controversial quarry application at Middleton Farm, Potterton, despite significant local objections, and the deferral of funding allocations for Community Councils pending further clarification on facility let charges.

Pride of Formartine Award for Ythan Cycle Club

The meeting began by recognising the Ythan Cycle Club with a Pride of Formartine Award for their instrumental role in the Ellon Wheeled Park Project. Councillor Isobel Davidson, who nominated the club, praised their extensive work in consulting the public, fundraising, overseeing construction, and ensuring the park's continued utilisation and accessibility. The club has also been recognised nationally, winning the Scottish Cycling Club of the Year award in 2025.

Education and Children's Services Performance

The committee received an update on the Education & Children's Services (ECS) year-end performance monitoring for 2025/26. While five out of ten performance measures were meeting or exceeding targets, five were reported as off-target. Areas of strength included foundation apprenticeship outcomes and volunteering hours through Live Life Aberdeenshire services. However, concerns were raised regarding a reduction in positive post-school destinations, particularly in the Formartine area, and a decline in literacy attainment at primary stages. Councillors discussed the challenges in sustaining foundation apprenticeship programmes due to funding shifts and the impact of pupils struggling with engagement post-COVID-19. The committee noted the progress and instructed the Director of ECS to continue presenting six-monthly performance reports.

Environment and Infrastructure Services Performance

A report on Environment and Infrastructure Services (EIS) performance for Q3 and Q4 of 2025/26 indicated a return to more stable performance, with eight out of ten indicators on target. Areas of strength included planning determination times and homelessness resolution times. However, two indicators were flagged as off-target: the average weeks taken to determine householder developments and void rent loss. Councillors discussed the factors contributing to void rent loss, including tenant matching, repairs, and utility issues, and noted improvements in relet times. The committee also discussed streetlight fault response times, acknowledging the challenges in meeting the seven-day target due to a risk-based approach to repairs.

Planning Application for Quarry at Middleton Farm, Potterton

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the application for full planning permission for a sand and gravel quarry at Middleton Farm, Potterton. The proposal, submitted by Leiths (Scotland) Ltd, faced strong opposition from local residents, the Belhelvie Community Council, and objectors Ms Gwendolyn Pirie and Ms Emma Dawson.

Key concerns raised by objectors included:

• Road Safety and Infrastructure: The unclassified road (U17c) was deemed unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) due to its narrowness, blind bends, lack of pavements, and existing signage indicating it is unsuitable for HGVs. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of proposed passing places and the potential for accidents, particularly involving school buses, cyclists, walkers, and horse riders. The cumulative impact of traffic from the nearby battery storage facility was also highlighted.
• Environmental and Health Impacts: Objectors expressed significant concerns about noise, dust, and air pollution, particularly for residents with respiratory conditions. The proximity to residential properties and the potential for dust to travel long distances due to the site's elevated and exposed location were major points of contention. Concerns were also raised about the impact on local wildlife, including protected species, and potential contamination of watercourses and private water supplies. The proximity to the approved battery storage facility raised further safety concerns.
• Green Belt and Agricultural Land: The site's location within the Aberdeen Green Belt and on prime agricultural land was a significant point of objection, with arguments that the development would industrialise a rural area and undermine the purpose of the Green Belt.
• Community Benefit: Objectors argued that the proposal offered no tangible benefit to the local community, such as local employment or infrastructure investment.

The applicant, Mr Rob Westall, stated that there were no unresolved technical objections and that the proposal complied with national and local policy regarding mineral extraction and landbank requirements. He assured the committee that only one lorry would be used for transport to Loch Hills Quarry, and that all vehicles would turn left out of the site.

Following extensive debate, a motion to refuse the application, moved by Councillor Jenny Nicol and seconded by Councillor Paul Johnston, was put forward. An amendment to approve the application, moved by Councillor Isobel Davidson and seconded by Councillor Alastair Forsyth, was also presented. After a tied vote of five votes to five, the Chair, Councillor Iain Taylor, exercised his casting vote in favour of the amendment.

Consequently, authority to grant Full Planning Permission was delegated to the Head of Planning and Economy, subject to the conclusion of a Section 75 agreement relating to a Road Levy, the submission of a satisfactory Traffic Management Plan, further discussion on appropriate tree species for planting, and the detailed conditions outlined in the report. The committee also requested an informal session with relevant officers to discuss how planning consultation responses on road matters are formulated.

Business Services Performance

The committee received an update on Business Services' year-end performance indicators for 2025/26. Seven of the fifteen indicators were on track, one was amber, and seven were data-only. Strengths included customer services call wait times and abandonment rates, as well as the processing times for housing benefit and council tax reduction claims. Areas for improvement included the suitability of operational buildings for their current use. Councillors noted the positive performance in customer services and requested further details on how building suitability is assessed, particularly concerning emissions and climate targets.

Formartine Area Committee Budget 2026-2027

The committee discussed the proposed budget for 2026-27, which has been reduced by 50% to £17,800. It was proposed to allocate £7,725 to the Improving Towns and Villages Fund and £10,075 to a general community projects fund. Key changes included a reduction in the maximum grant available to £2,000 per project, with a requirement for 50% match funding. Authority to determine applications was delegated to the Area Manager, in consultation with the Chair, Vice-Chair, and relevant local ward members. The committee agreed to these proposals.

Formartine Area Community Council Funding 2026-2027

Consideration of the proposed allocations for Formartine Community Council Grants for 2026-27 was deferred. This decision was made pending a workshop with Education and Children's Services to discuss proposed charges for community groups using educational facilities for meetings.

Exempt Items

The committee moved into exempt session to discuss the disposal of Westbank Care Home and an Aberdeenshire Charities Trust (ACT2) application. Following discussion, the sale of Westbank Care Home was approved, and £1,000 of ACT2 funding was awarded to an applicant for the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture, or science.