The Formartine Area Committee of Aberdeenshire Council met on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, to discuss a range of local issues. Key decisions included the refusal of planning permission for alterations to an access road at Tillycairn Steading, Tarves, on road safety grounds, and the approval of a new toilet block and aires site at Balmedie Beach. The committee also reviewed inspection reports for Balmedie and Ellon Primary Schools, discussed a revised Festive Lights Policy, and considered the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan for 2027-2032.

Education Scotland Inspection Reports

The committee received and discussed inspection reports for Balmedie Primary School and Nursery Class¹ and Ellon Primary School². For Balmedie Primary, inspectors noted strengths in children's behaviour and staff relationships but identified weaknesses in raising attainment and curriculum delivery in the nursery class. The committee was asked to provide comments to the Education and Children's Service. Ellon Primary School received good evaluations for learning, teaching, and assessment, and raising attainment and achievement, with inspectors confident in the school's capacity to continue improving.

Planning Applications

Tillycairn Steading, Tarves: The committee debated two related planning applications concerning access and development at Tillycairn Steading. For APP/2026/0086, concerning alterations to an existing access to form a turning area, the committee ultimately refused the application on road safety grounds, with Councillor Andrew Hassan moving the refusal, seconded by Councillor Derek Ritchie. This decision was carried by six votes to five. Subsequently, for APP/2025/2019, an application to convert a steading without compliance with visibility splays and access conditions, the committee voted to approve the application, with Councillor Anne Stirling moving approval, seconded by Councillor Gillian Owen.

Land adjacent to Bankhead, Auchterless: Planning permission in principle for the erection of a dwellinghouse at Land adjacent to Bankhead was refused. The recommendation for refusal was based on the site being greenfield land, contrary to Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan Policy R2 and National Planning Framework 4 Policy 17, as the applicant had not demonstrated that no suitable alternative accommodation was available on existing brownfield sites within the farm enterprise.

South Toilet Block and Land at Balmedie Beach: Full planning permission was granted for the erection of a toilet block and change of use of land to an aires site at Balmedie Country Park. The proposal was recommended for delegated grant, subject to conditions, and was supported by the committee.

Site to the North of Leanach, Whitecairns: Full planning permission was granted for a change of use of agricultural land to form motorhome pitches, siting of glamping pods, and associated infrastructure. The proposal was recommended for grant, subject to conditions, and was supported by the committee, with Councillor Andrew Hassan noting the excitement of the proposal.

Land to the North West of Watersreach, Collieston: Full planning permission was granted for the erection of a dwellinghouse, outbuilding, boundary wall and gate. This application was considered a departure from the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan Policy R1 Special Rural Areas. The committee agreed to grant permission, subject to conditions, with the departure justified by the site's planning history, proximity to the settlement boundary, and the quality of the proposed development on a previously developed site.

Policy and Budget Matters

Festive Lights Policy Review 2026: The committee discussed proposed changes to the Festive Lights Policy, which aimed to provide greater flexibility for community-led installations while introducing cost-sharing for infrastructure upgrades and electricity usage. Public engagement revealed broad support for community-led decision-making but strong opposition to shifting electricity and infrastructure costs onto volunteers. Concerns were raised about the fairness of population-based funding and the practicality of five-year advance electricity payments. The committee was asked to provide comments to the Infrastructure Services Committee.

Formartine Coastal Communities Fund 2026-2027: The committee noted an additional funding allocation of £114,907.50 for 2026/27 and agreed to continue delegating approval of awards to the Formartine Area Manager, following consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair.

Formartine Area Committee Budget 2026-27: An update on budget allocations was provided, showing that £7,450 had been awarded from the Improving Towns and Villages Fund and £10,379.32 from the Community Projects Fund, leaving £7,420.68 available.

Statement of Outstanding Business: The committee noted that one item remained outstanding: a request for an informal session regarding the formulation of planning consultation responses, with progress ongoing.

Strategic Housing Investment Plan

Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2027-2032: The committee was asked to provide comments on the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP). The SHIP anticipates the potential delivery of 2,278 new affordable homes across Aberdeenshire over the next five years, with 441 units projected for the Formartine area. The plan prioritises social rent properties and includes provision for households with particular needs, including wheelchair-accessible homes. Concerns were raised about the difficulty in accessing Scottish Government funding for housing infrastructure.