The Local Review Body of Aberdeenshire Council met on Friday 28 August 2026 to consider three planning review applications. The meeting agenda included a review of relevant policies, a statement of outstanding business, and the consideration of three new planning reviews.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Before proceeding with the main business, the Body was reminded of its legal duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations between those who share protected characteristics and those who do not. Members were also directed to consider the contents of any Integrated Impact Assessment provided within reports and take them into account when reaching a decision.

Spreadsheet Highlighting Relevant Policies for Each Review

A spreadsheet was provided to attendees, highlighting the policies from the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023 and the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) that were relevant to each of the reviews being considered. NPF4, adopted in February 2023, takes precedence over the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023 in cases of incompatibility, as it was adopted more recently.

Statement of Outstanding Business

A list of outstanding actions from previous meetings of the Local Review Body was circulated.

LRB 657 - Notice of Review against Full Planning Permission for Erection of Dwellinghouse including Demolition of Existing Dwellinghouse at Braeside, Banchory Devenick, AB12 5XP - Reference: APP/2025/1733

This review concerned an application for full planning permission for the erection of a dwellinghouse, including the demolition of the existing dwellinghouse at Braeside, Banchory Devenick¹. The application site is located within the green belt². The refusal notice cited two reasons for refusal:

• The proposed development was considered not to be in accordance with the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023 (ALDP2023). Specifically, the replacement of an existing vernacular dwellinghouse was deemed contrary to Policy R1 (Special Rural Areas) of the ALDP2023, as it was considered to contribute to the rural Aberdeenshire character of the green belt.
• It had not been adequately demonstrated that the vernacular dwellinghouse was incapable of retention through sensitive extension or refurbishment to ensure the conservation of embodied energy, making the proposal contrary to Policy 9 (Brownfield, vacant and derelict land and empty buildings) of the NPF4.

The applicant's grounds of review argued that the refusal was legally flawed, particularly concerning the interpretation and application of development plan policies on the replacement of existing dwellings in the green belt. The applicant submitted that the proposed development complied with NPF4 Policy 8, which permits one-for-one replacement dwellings in the green belt without restrictions on the type or condition of the building. The applicant also contended that NPF4 Policy 9 was not applicable as the dwelling was in active use and not vacant or derelict.

Supporting documents included a Design Statement, Structural Inspection Report, Bat Survey, Drainage Report, Tree Survey Report, Whole Life Carbon Assessment, and a Planning Statement.

LRB 660 - Notice of Review against Full Planning Permission for Erection of Dwellinghouse at Land Adjacent To Beech Lodge Turriff AB53 8BU - Reference: APP/2026/0167

This review concerned an application for full planning permission for the erection of a dwellinghouse at Land Adjacent to Beech Lodge, Turriff³. The site is located in a remote rural area⁴. The refusal notice cited three reasons for refusal:

• The proposed development was considered not to be in accordance with the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023 and National Planning Framework 4. It failed to meet the criteria for a new house under Policy R2 (Development Proposals Elsewhere in the Countryside) of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023 and Policy 17 (Rural Homes) of NPF4. The site was noted as being in a Remote Rural Area but did not meet criteria such as being within 200 metres of an 'identified settlement', being a brownfield site, or being an addition to an existing cluster of at least 5 houses.
• The development was contrary to Policy 15 (Local Living and 20-minute neighbourhoods) and Policy P1 (Layout, siting and Design) of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023. The location was considered not to be within reasonable walking distance of public transport or services, leading to sole reliance on a private car.
• The development was contrary to Policies 3 (Biodiversity) and 14 (Design, quality and place) of NPF4 and Policy P1 of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023, as it was not accompanied by an appropriate biodiversity enhancement plan.

The applicant's grounds of review argued that the site was part of an existing cluster of properties and that the proposed dwelling would harmonise with the existing surroundings. They also highlighted a previous approval for a similar application at Silverwells Lodge and questioned the factual basis of sources used in the refusal of a neighbouring site's application.

Supporting documents included a Block Plan, Design and Justification Statement, Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA), and a Ground Assessment & Drainage Recommendation Report.

LRB 661 - Notice of Review against Full Planning Permission for Erection of Dwellinghouse at Site At Wester Keilhill King Edward Banff AB45 3LT - Reference: APP/2025/1268

This review concerned an application for full planning permission for the erection of a dwellinghouse at Site At Wester Keilhill, King Edward, Banff⁵. The refusal notice cited two reasons for refusal:

• The planning authority considered the application contrary to NPF4 Policy 17 (Rural Homes) and Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023 (ALDP2023) Policies R1 (Special Rural Areas) and R2 (Development Proposals Elsewhere in the Countryside), as it failed to meet the specified criteria. The site was noted as being in a Remote Rural Area but did not meet criteria such as being within 200 metres of an 'identified settlement', being a brownfield site, or being an addition to an existing cluster of at least 5 houses.
• The size of the proposed site was considered to be well in excess of what is required for a single house and out of keeping with the existing pattern of development in the immediate area in terms of overall scale, making it contrary to NPF4 Policy 14 (Design, quality and place) and ALDP2023 Policy P1 (Layout, Siting and Design).

The applicant's statement of review argued that there are 11 existing dwellings forming part of the Keilhill cluster, and a further site with planning permission under construction, making it an acceptable location for a new dwelling as an addition to an existing cluster under Policy R2.16 and R2.17 of the 2023 Local Development Plan. They stated the house design is appropriate for its rural setting and sympathetic to existing buildings.

Supporting documents included a Design and Justification Statement, Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA), and a Ground Assessment & Drainage Recommendation Report.