The Buchan Area Committee met to discuss a range of local issues, including planning applications, school safety, and community funding. Councillors agreed to a trial school streets scheme to improve safety around Buchanhaven Primary School, but refused planning permission for a wellness studio in Hatton due to its location in the countryside. They also approved funding allocations for community projects and discussed the annual scrutiny and improvement report.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

Buchanhaven School Streets Scheme

The committee agreed to support a trial of the Buchanhaven School Streets Scheme for 18 months, and to allow the council to progress a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO). The scheme aims to restrict vehicle access on Hope Street (from Craigewan Crescent to Thores Street) and George Garden Avenue, Peterhead, during school pick-up and drop-off times.

The decision followed a community engagement exercise in November and December 2024. The results showed that 69% of respondents agreed that removing vehicles from Hope Street and George Garden Avenue during peak times would benefit pupil safety.

The trial aims to address congestion and road safety concerns around Buchanhaven Primary School. Exemptions will apply to certain vehicles, including emergency services, blue badge holders, taxis, and school transport.

The committee considered data from a similar scheme in Fraserburgh, which saw an increase in walking and cycling to school and a decrease in traffic. Air quality was also monitored during the Fraserburgh trial, with measured PM 2.5 declining by around 11µg/m³ and PM 10 declining by around 16µg/m³.

Planning Application Refused: Laymil House, West Stoneygate, Hatton

Councillors refused planning permission for the erection of a tipi and decking, the siting of a composting toilet, and a change of use of domestic land to Class 11 (Assembly and Leisure) for a wellness studio at Laymil House, West Stoneygate, Hatton.

The application received six letters of support, but was ultimately refused because it was contrary to several policies in the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023.

The planning authority considered that the application was for a development that did not constitute home-working or remote working, as the yoga instructor was not a resident of the property. It was also considered that the proposal did not align with community needs and the principles of local living, as the site is not located within a settlement and lacks alternative transport options.

The report stated:

The proposal does not meet the definition of home-working, as the yoga instructor is not a resident of the property. Additionally, it does not qualify as remote working, since the classes are delivered in person with both the instructor and clients physically present. As such, the development fails to comply with the criteria of Policy 26(b) Business and industry of the NPF4.

Area Committee Project Grant Applications 2025/26

The Committee considered eight applications for community project funding from the Area Committee Project Grant Scheme.

The Committee agreed to:

• Award Maud Village Hall up to £5,000 towards the purchase of a replacement oil boiler.
• Award Mintlaw Men's Shed up to £2,719.57 towards the installation of a security system.
• Award Peterhead Area Community Trust up to £2,554.38 to install playground markings in Victoria Community Park.
• Award Stuartfield Public Hall £3,880 towards replacing the outdated wooden windows in the Nursery room.
• Award Strichen Community Council up to £5,000 towards the cost of installing new inclusive play equipment.

The Committee did not make awards to Peterhead Boys Club or APEX Church, and placed Port Erroll Heritage Group on a reserve list.

Education Scotland Inspection Report - Anna Ritchie Special School

The committee considered the Education Scotland Inspection Report for Anna Ritchie Special School. The inspection team found several strengths in the school's work, including positive relationships between staff and pupils, and effective use of knowledge to improve wellbeing. Areas for improvement were also identified, including developing a more structured approach to school improvement planning and consistently high-quality learning and teaching approaches.

The report noted:

Led by the headteacher, all staff develop positive relationships with children and young people and their families. This supports a strong sense of community across the school. As a result, children and young people are happy and attend school regularly.

Annual Scrutiny and Improvement Report 2024/2025

The committee considered the Annual Scrutiny and Improvement Report 2024/2025, which included highlights of key scrutiny activity undertaken by the committee over the past year. Key areas of scrutiny activity included reviewing performance and monitoring service delivery, considering policies, strategies, plans, and budgets, and informal meetings, seminars, briefing sessions, and site visits.

Update: Peterhead Projects

The committee received an update on key Aberdeenshire Council-led or facilitated projects in Peterhead, including the Peterhead Community Campus and the Peterhead Cultural Quarter.

• Peterhead Community Campus: A Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN) was submitted, and public drop-in sessions took place in July 2025. A planning application is anticipated by the end of August 2025, with works expected to commence in late April 2026 and the campus opening by August 2028.
• Peterhead Cultural Quarter: The focus of work continues to be on tenders for work packages for the Museum and Library, with activity anticipated to complete in October 2025. The project team working on the Carnegie Building are seeking to finalise the scope of building services to allow for the planning application to be submitted as soon as possible.

Licensing Application

The Aberdeenshire Licensing Board approved an application made under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 for a major variation of premises licence for Teenie & Stams Ltd T/A TSB, subject to a number of local and specific conditions. These conditions relate to general management, noise, lockfast store, vulnerability, door supervisors, CCTV, and beer gardens and outside drinking areas.