The Garioch Area Committee is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, with a key focus on planning applications and performance reports. The committee will consider proposals for a significant caravan park extension near Kintore and a large residential development in Newmachar, alongside a review of Business Services' performance indicators for the past year.

Hillhead Caravan Park Extension

A significant item on the agenda is the proposed extension to Hillhead Caravan Park in Kintore. The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 13 holiday lodges, an amenity building including a cafe, restaurant, laundry, and sanitary facilities, and the formation of 12 mobile caravan pitching sites. This proposal follows a previous refusal and dismissed appeal for a larger development at the same site. The report notes that the revised plans have reduced the number of lodges and caravan pitches and include a substantial landscape buffer to address concerns about the amenity of neighbouring properties, particularly Hillhead Croft. The applicant has also proposed measures to manage traffic flow and has submitted supporting information regarding demand for tourism facilities and drainage.

Newmachar Residential Development

The committee will also consider a hybrid planning application for a large residential development on land to the west of Hillbrae Way in Newmachar. This application seeks full planning permission for Phase 1, comprising 158 dwellinghouses and associated infrastructure, and planning permission in principle for Phases 2 and 3 for further residential development. The site is allocated in the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023 for housing and a primary school. However, recent assessments have indicated sufficient capacity at the existing Newmachar Primary School, leading to a departure from the plan's reservation of land for a new school. The proposal includes a mix of private and affordable housing, with 39 affordable homes planned for Phase 1. Concerns have been raised by residents and Newmachar Community Council regarding infrastructure capacity, including schools, healthcare, roads, and local amenities, as well as environmental and wildlife impacts.

Business Services Performance

The committee will receive an update on the performance of Business Services for the year ending March 2026. The report details progress against performance indicators that support the Council's overarching priorities: A Sustainable Economy, Connected Communities, and Living Well Locally. For the Garioch area, seven out of fifteen reported measures are meeting or exceeding targets, with one measure showing as amber (off target) and seven reported as 'data only'. Key successes include consistently low average call wait times and call abandonment rates for Customer Services, and efficient processing times for Council Tax Reduction and Housing Benefit claims. An area for improvement identified is the percentage of operational buildings suitable for their current use, with the Garioch area showing 80% suitability, below the Aberdeenshire and Scottish averages.

Landscape Services Works Programme

The committee is asked to approve the proposed Landscape Services Works Programme for 2026/27. This programme outlines planned works and activities for the Garioch area, funded by the Revenue budget, and prioritised based on council-wide budgets and local input. The proposals include routine maintenance, cyclic and reactive activities, and planned works across burial grounds, parks, and open spaces. The report highlights the importance of parks and open spaces for physical and mental wellbeing and notes the service's commitment to environmental concerns, including supporting Aberdeenshire Council's Pollinator Action Plan through initiatives like No Mow Meadows . The programme reflects input from elected members, communities, and local representatives.

Other Business

The committee will also consider a Statement of Outstanding Business, which provides updates on items previously raised. This includes ongoing monitoring of commitments related to battery storage units and a briefing on the Thainstone site. Additionally, the committee will address the Public Sector Equality Duty, requiring members to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between those who share protected characteristics and those who do not. A resolution will be considered to exclude the public and media from discussions on specific items if they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information.