The Local Review Body of Aberdeenshire Council met on Friday 25 September 2026 to consider four review items. The meeting addressed a deferred application for replacement doors in Fraserburgh, and three new applications concerning a dwelling in Kintore, a building conversion in Macduff, and a replacement dwelling in Turriff.

Replacement Doors at 21 George Street, Fraserburgh (LRB 656)

The Local Review Body upheld a notice of review and reversed the appointed officer's decision to refuse full planning permission for the replacement of doors at 21 George Street, Fraserburgh. The decision to grant full planning permission was made on the grounds that the application was an acceptable departure from policies P1, HE1, and HE2 of the Local Development Plan and policies 7 and 14 of the National Planning Framework 4. The reasons cited for this departure included the presence of numerous UPVC doors in the conservation area, suggesting that the precedent for traditional materials had already been set, and that the proposed UPVC doors, finished in rosewood effect, would not be detrimental to the character or aesthetics of the listed building or the conservation area. The condition of the rear door was noted as dilapidated, requiring replacement.

Dwelling House, Garage and Greenhouses at Braeview Croft, Kintore (LRB 658)

The Local Review Body unanimously agreed to dismiss the notice of review and uphold the appointed officer's decision to refuse full planning permission for the erection of a dwelling house, garage, and greenhouses at Braeview Croft, Kintore. The refusal was based on the proposal's conflict with Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan (ALDP) 2023 Policies R1 and R2, and National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Policy 17 (Rural Homes). The site was deemed unsuitable as it is in the accessible rural area and does not meet the criteria for development, such as being within a cluster or a brownfield site. While the applicant's personal circumstances and the need for an accessible home were acknowledged as material considerations, they were not deemed to be of sufficient weight to override the planning policies that establish the principle of development in this location. The decision notice's reference to Policy 16 was corrected to Policy 17.

Alterations, Extension and Change of Use of Building to Form Dwellinghouse at Inverlussa Yard, Macduff (LRB 662)

The Local Review Body agreed to dismiss the notice of review and uphold the appointed officer's decision to refuse full planning permission for the alterations, extension, and change of use of a building at Inverlussa Yard, Macduff. The refusal was based on two primary reasons: firstly, insufficient information regarding the risk of ground contamination, necessitating an intrusive Phase 2 investigation to demonstrate the site's suitability for residential use. Secondly, the proposed external space for the dwelling was considered to be of an unacceptable size, particularly given the availability of land within the applicant's ownership that could provide more appropriate garden ground, which was not reflective of the local development pattern.

Demolition of Dwellinghouse and Erection of Dwellinghouse at Mill of Delgaty, Turriff (LRB 663)

The Local Review Body agreed to dismiss the notice of review and uphold the appointed officer's decision to refuse full planning permission for the demolition of a dwellinghouse and the erection of a new one at Mill of Delgaty, Turriff. The refusal was based on several grounds: the proposed dwellinghouse conflicted with NPF4 Policy 17 (Rural Homes) and ALDP 2023 Policy R2 (Development Proposals Elsewhere in the Countryside) as it was located outside the existing curtilage and on greenfield agricultural land, visually remote from associated buildings. The proposal was also deemed to fail to justify mitigation measures, have an excessively large curtilage, lack identified biodiversity enhancement measures, and provide insufficient evidence for reusing materials from the existing dwelling.

Outstanding Business

The meeting also noted the statement of outstanding business, which included an item concerning replacement doors at 21 George Street, Fraserburgh (LRB 656), which was deferred for further procedures including a site visit and condition survey. This item was subsequently addressed during the meeting.