The Formartine Area Committee met on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, discussing the Annual Scrutiny and Improvement Report, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service performance, and the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership's Strategic Delivery Plan. The committee also made decisions on several planning applications, including a controversial housing development in Ellon and applications related to Tillycairn Steading.

Annual Scrutiny and Improvement Report

The committee reviewed the Annual Scrutiny and Improvement Report for 2025-26, which detailed the scrutiny activities undertaken by the committee over the past year. Councillor Louise McAllister, seconded by Councillor Derek Ritchie, moved to refuse the planning application for the former Ellon Academy Annex site, citing concerns about its design, layout, siting, and impact on local amenity, and its incompatibility with National Planning Framework 4 Policy 14 and Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan Policy 1. Councillor Anne Stirling, seconded by Councillor Alastair Forsyth, proposed an amendment to grant permission subject to an additional condition regarding the maintenance of grounds, as suggested by Councillor Paul Johnston. Following debate, the motion to refuse was carried by nine votes to three.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Performance Report

The committee received the performance report for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Formartine for the fourth quarter of the financial year, covering January to March 2026. The report indicated a slight increase in overall incidents, primarily due to a rise in non-fire related incidents, while fire-related incidents decreased. There were no fire fatalities recorded during this period. Councillors discussed trends in accidental dwelling fires, deliberate fires, non-domestic fires, and road traffic collisions, with particular attention paid to fire safety advice and prevention work. Councillor Isabel Davidson raised concerns about the lack of publicity regarding the expiry of smoke alarms, and the committee discussed the Test It Tuesday campaign. Councillor Anne Stirling passed on thanks to the local fire crews for their proactive approach. Councillor Paul Johnston inquired about the service's wildfire tackling plan, and the report confirmed the existence of a standard operating procedure.

Aberdeenshire HSCP Strategic Delivery Plan Performance Report

The committee received the first quarterly performance report for the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership's (AHSCP) Strategic Delivery Plan. The report highlighted progress on key workstreams, including the completion of Phase 1 of the Community Hospitals Strategic Review and the approval of the new Carer Strategy. Councillor Gillian Owen inquired about the biggest service pressures facing residents in Mid Formartine and the greatest risks over the next 12 months, to which officers cited sustained demand, complexity of need, and workforce challenges. Councillor Owen also asked about performance indicators causing concern, with patient flow and delayed discharges identified as key areas. Councillor Owen also expressed interest in the record-keeping and identification of unpaid carers. Councillor Derek Ritchie shared personal experiences of the local health and social care teams, offering thanks for their support. The committee agreed to the recommendations in the report.

Planning Applications

Former Ellon Academy Annex Site, Ellon (APP/2025/0521)

The committee considered a full planning permission application for the erection of 11 dwellinghouses (5 dwellinghouses and 6 flats) at the former Ellon Academy Annex site in Ellon. The proposal was for 100% affordable housing. Concerns were raised by local councillors and residents regarding the scale, massing, and siting of the block of flats, potential overlooking and loss of privacy, overdevelopment, and the strain on local infrastructure and services. Councillor Louise McAllister moved to refuse the application, citing incompatibility with planning policies on design quality and place, and loss of amenity. Councillor Anne Stirling proposed an amendment to grant permission subject to an additional condition regarding ground maintenance. After debate, the motion to refuse was carried by nine votes to three.

Tillycairn Steading, Tarves, Ellon (APP/2026/0086 and APP/2025/2019)

Two applications related to Tillycairn Steading were considered: one for alterations to the existing access to form a turning area and erection of a post and wire fence (APP/2026/0086), and another under Section 42 to vary conditions regarding visibility splays and remove the requirement for an adoptable road for the original planning permission (APP/2025/2019). Tarves Community Council objected to both applications on road safety grounds, arguing that the proposed turning area and visibility splays were insufficient and that the road should be adopted. Aberdeenshire Council's Roads Development Team had no objection to the proposed variations, stating they did not require the road to be adopted. However, the Waste Management Team had a holding objection due to insufficient swept path analysis for their specific vehicles. Learning Estates confirmed that contracted school transport would not travel on unadopted roads. After extensive discussion, including a debate on the interpretation of road standards and the potential for improvements, Councillor Paul Johnston moved to defer both applications for a site visit to better understand the junction's topography and the community council's concerns. This motion was seconded by Councillor Andrew Hassan and unanimously agreed.

South of Sunnyside Farm, Hattoncrook, Whiterashes (APP/2026/0119)

The committee considered a full planning permission application for the erection of a dwellinghouse at South of Sunnyside Farm. The proposal involved demolishing a redundant agricultural building and replacing it with a two-storey dwelling. While the principle of development on the brownfield site was accepted, Aberdeenshire Council's Roads Development Team objected due to insufficient visibility splays at the junction with the A947, citing road safety concerns. Despite proposed improvements by the applicant, the visibility achieved remained below the required standard. Councillor Andrew Hassan moved to refuse the application, citing the failure to demonstrate a safe and suitable means of access, contrary to Policy RD1 of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan. Councillor Alastair Forsyth proposed an amendment to depart from policy, arguing that the proposed improvements represented a significant betterment and that refusing the application would result in no development. Councillor Steven Mitchell seconded the amendment, highlighting the positive redevelopment of brownfield land. After debate, the amendment to depart from policy and allow for a delegated grant was carried by six votes to three.

Statement of Outstanding Business

The committee noted that Item 2 from the Statement of Outstanding Business, concerning the Business Services' Area Committee Performance Indicator Report, had been removed following clarification on how buildings sold were accounted for in performance figures.