The Marr Area Committee met online on Tuesday 15 September 2026, discussing a range of planning and policy matters. Key decisions included the agreement of the Masterplan for Inchmarlo Site OP2 as context for future planning applications, the approval of a variation to the phasing condition for the Inchmarlo development to allow for the completion of housing before the hotel, and the agreement to note the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2027-2032. The committee also provided comments on proposed changes to the Festive Lights Policy and noted the Aboyne Bridge engagement plan.

Masterplan for Inchmarlo Site OP2 Agreed as Context

The committee agreed the Masterplan for Inchmarlo Site OP2 as the context for the general layout and approach for subsequent planning applications. The site is designated for 120 homes as an expansion of the Inchmarlo Continuing Care Community. The Masterplan, developed following public consultation, sets a framework for phased development, including new access points, housing design, open space provision, and connectivity to existing facilities and the wider area. While the Masterplan is high-level, it addresses key constraints such as topography, drainage, and the setting of the B-listed Inchmarlo House, with detailed considerations to be addressed in subsequent planning applications.

Phasing Variation Approved for Inchmarlo Development

The committee agreed to GRANT the application for a variation to the phasing condition for the Inchmarlo development, subject to specific conditions. The approved phasing order allows for East Mains Housing (85 dwellings) as Phase 1, followed by the Hotel Development (Phase 2), Hotel ancillary lodges (Phase 3), and Auldeer Woods Housing (10 dwellings) as Phase 4. Crucially, no more than 85 dwellings shall be occupied prior to the hotel and lodges coming into operational use. This decision, made under Section 42 of the planning legislation, aims to release further funding for the hotel project and enable the completion of the East Mains housing site. The original consent, granted in 2011 and revised in 2021, was supported as a departure from policy due to the anticipated economic benefits of the tourism and leisure development. Despite objections from community councils citing a lack of progress on the hotel, the committee acknowledged the ongoing commitment from the developers and the planning service's view that the variation was reasonable and necessary for the project's viability.

Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2027-2032 Noted

The committee agreed to note the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) for 2027-2032. This five-year rolling programme outlines Aberdeenshire's affordable housing investment priorities, anticipating the potential delivery of 2,278 new homes across the region, with 231 proposed for the Marr area. The plan details that the majority of these homes will be for social rent, with a significant proportion suitable for particular needs, including wheelchair accessibility. The report highlighted ongoing challenges in the housing and construction sectors, including inflationary pressures and skills shortages, which may impact deliverability. The committee's comments will be forwarded to the Communities Committee for further consideration.

Festive Lights Policy Review

The committee discussed proposed changes to the Festive Lights Policy, which aims to provide a more permissive framework for community-led installations while aligning with full cost recovery principles. The proposed changes would remove location restrictions, allowing communities to apply for installations in any street, provided safety is not compromised. Communities would be responsible for funding infrastructure upgrades and electricity costs exceeding a set allocation. Public engagement revealed broad support for community-led decision-making and self-funding for new enhancements, but strong opposition to shifting electricity and infrastructure costs onto communities. Concerns were raised about the fairness of a population-based funding allocation, the practicality of five-year electricity payment terms, and the potential administrative burden. The committee agreed to provide comments to the Infrastructure Services Committee, highlighting issues such as the fairness of the allocation formula, the missing settlement of Lumphanan from data, the five-year charging model, the potential impact on asset lifespan, and the need for clarity on infrastructure costs and responsibilities.

Aboyne Bridge Engagement Plan

The committee agreed to note and agree the proposed engagement plan for the Aboyne Bridge project, noting the ongoing technical assessments and requesting that the results of the engagement exercise be incorporated into a future report to inform the decision-making process on the preferred bridge option. The plan, developed in partnership with the Aboyne Bridge Action Committee (ABAC), includes ongoing engagement mechanisms such as FAQs, project timelines, and technical study updates on the Engage Aberdeenshire website. Specific consultation activities include a traffic study, community surveys, and drop-in sessions.

Education Scotland Inspection Report for Aboyne Academy

The committee acknowledged the positive findings of the Education Scotland inspection report for Aboyne Academy. The report evaluated both learning, teaching and assessment, and attainment and achievement as good, concluding that the school has the capacity for continued improvement. Members welcomed the report's findings, particularly regarding the school's strong learning community, the quality of teaching, partnership working, and pupil attainment. Clarification was provided that a reduction in recorded additional support needs was due to a revised classification process across Aberdeenshire, not a change in pupil support.

Other Business

The committee approved as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting and agreed to note the statement of outstanding business. They welcomed the completion of the one-way system in Huntly and thanked the Roads team, agreeing to remove it from the outstanding business list. Concerns were raised regarding the reporting of early learning and childcare provision in Huntly, with a suggestion for future reports to include more specific location details and distances of providers.

The meeting also included discussions on the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2027-2032, where the committee agreed to note the draft plan, and the Festive Lights Policy Review, where detailed feedback was given on proposed changes. An update on the Aboyne Bridge engagement plan was also presented.

The committee agreed to exclude the public and media from certain items of business due to the likely disclosure of exempt information.