The Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee met to discuss a range of local issues, including a planning application for a battery energy storage system, a request for an asset transfer, and a review of sheltered housing. The committee agreed to recommend approval of a planning application for a retail store and electric vehicle charging hub to the Infrastructure Services Committee, and agreed to provide comments to the Communities Committee regarding the Sheltered Housing Review. Councillors also approved several funding applications and noted the annual estate plan for the area.

Planning Decisions

Battery Energy Storage System in Arbuthnott

The committee reviewed a full planning permission application for the installation of a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of up to 49.9MW at Bridgend Farm, Arbuthnott near Laurencekirk.

The proposed development includes 34 battery storage containers, 17 battery inverters, 17 battery transformers, a distribution network operators building, a customer building, a control room, water tanks, a SUDS pond¹, security fencing, CCTV, landscaping and mitigation screening measures, and a grid connection to Fiddes Substation.

The application received 80 objections, citing concerns such as the industrial appearance of the development in a rural setting, cumulative impact of multiple energy applications, fire safety, road safety, visual impact, potential pollution of watercourses, loss of agricultural land, impact on tourism, noise and light pollution, and the impact on the cultural heritage of the area, particularly regarding Lewis Grassic Gibbon and his book Sunset Song.

The committee was advised that the Health and Safety Executive did not advise against granting planning permission on safety grounds.

The committee voted to grant the application subject to conditions. These conditions included:

• A three-year period to begin the development.
• A 40-year consent period from the date of final commissioning.
• A decommissioning, restoration, and aftercare strategy.
• A financial guarantee for site restoration.
• A detailed landscaping plan.
• A construction environmental management plan.
• A biodiversity enhancement plan.
• Noise limits.
• A surface water drainage system.
• Visibility splays² and access requirements.

The planning authority considered that the application is in accordance with National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023.

Community Asset Transfer Request

Former Social Work Offices in Portlethen

The committee considered an asset transfer request from Portlethen & District Men's Shed for ownership of the former Social Work Offices on Rowanbank Road, Portlethen at a proposed purchase price of £100.

The Portlethen & District Men's Shed has operated in Portlethen since July 2014 and has over 60 members. They are seeking larger premises to expand their activities and offer space to other community groups.

The committee was advised that the property has a market valuation of £185,000.

The committee was presented with a cost benefit analysis (2025-09-02 APPENDIX 3 - Cost Benefit Analysis.pdf) which showed a positive financial outcome in favour of the transfer to the community group.

The committee was also presented with an integrated impact assessment (2025-09-02 APPENDIX 2 - Integrated Impact Assessment.pdf) which highlighted positive impacts under Equalities & Fairer Scotland Duty and Health Inequalities, but some negative impacts were identified under Town Centre's First which cannot be fully mitigated.

The committee agreed to offer Portlethen Men's Shed the Rowanbank building for £92,500, which represents a 50% discount on the market value, and delegated authority to the Area Manager to conclude the transfer.

Sheltered Housing Review

The committee received an update on the progress of reshaping Sheltered Housing in Aberdeenshire and were asked to provide feedback on the proposals under consideration.

The Head of Housing presented the report and advised that the report going to Communities Committee included an updated Integrated Impact Assessment which detailed the following impacts - low income and wealth, mental health and access to community facilities.

The committee heard from Ms Carol Reid, a member of the public who had communicated with residents at Mearns Court, Laurencekirk. Ms Reid spoke of the devastating impact of the possible closure on the residents of Mearns Court, many of whom had lived in the town for most of their lives, and can readily access local services such as doctor, pharmacy, local shops, library, green spaces and transport links.

Following discussion, the committee agreed to provide the following comments to Communities Committee for their consideration:

1. Concerns around the level of engagement carried out to date.
2. A request to slow down the process to ensure further interaction/engagement with tenants is carried out.
3. Discussion required around accounts model and whether something further can be looked at.
4. Impact on the loss of community and wellbeing to be fully considered.
5. With reference to Mearns Court, Laurencekirk the complex is fully occupied, notwithstanding the financial challenges on the site and further exploration of ways in which that challenge can be met.
6. Loss of Sheltered Housing units in South Aberdeenshire to be acknowledged.

Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee Budget 2025/26

The committee considered and approved six applications which have been submitted to the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee Budget 2025/26 for a total of £13,775.99.

The committee agreed to:

• Approve the following funding applications:
  • Luthermuir Hall and Park Committee £1,240
  • Oakley ASN Ltd £3,000
  • Dunnottar Pipes and Drums £ 658.99
  • Stonehaven Town Partnership £3,000
  • Mearns Youth Football Club £2,877
• Agree in principle the application from Auchenblae Parks Committee for £3,000 subject to the full funding package being assembled.

Kincardine & Mearns Community Council Grants 2025/26

The committee considered the allocation of the Kincardine & Mearns Community Council Grants for 2025-26 and approved the proposed allocations.

The committee agreed to:

• Note the changes made to the central distribution of Community Council Funds approved by the Head of Finance on the basis of a fixed grant of £600 supplemented by an additional amount based on the number of electors in each Community Council Area as set out in Appendix 1 to the Report.
• The allocation of Community Council administration grants for the Kincardine & Mearns Area for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.

Kincardine and Mearns Annual Estate Plan 2025/26

The committee considered the Annual Estate Plan for 2025/26 for a number of Services within Kincardine and Mearns area.

Committee agreed to note the recommendations in the report for Kincardine & Means area and requested that engagement with communities is built into the process at the earliest opportunity.

Annual Scrutiny and Improvement Report

The committee considered the Annual Scrutiny and Improvement Report for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 (ANNUAL SCRUTINY AND IMPROVEMENT REPORT 2024-2025.pdf).

The report included highlights of key scrutiny activity undertaken by the Committee over the past year and outlines areas for inclusion in the scrutiny programme for the coming year.

The committee considered and commented on the activities detailed in the report and agreed the proposed programme of scrutiny activity for 2025/26.

Education Scotland Inspection Report - Mackie Academy

The committee considered the Education Scotland Inspection Report for Mackie Academy (Education Scotland Inspection Report - Mackie Academy.pdf).

The report detailed the strengths, areas for improvement and Education Scotland's evaluations for Mackie Academy.

The inspection team found the following strengths in the school's work:

• Young people and staff enjoy supportive, respectful relationships with each other. This leads to a calm environment in which young people are keen to learn.
• Senior leaders and staff have effective approaches to assessing and monitoring young people's progress in the BGE³.
• Staff are working well with community partners to ensure almost all young people achieve a positive destination when they leave school. This success is being supported by the increasing range of courses and awards available to young people in the senior phase, including foundation apprenticeships.

The following areas for improvement were identified:

• Continue to develop high-quality learning and teaching experiences with a specific focus on pace, challenge and high quality questioning.
• Continue to raise attainment in the senior phase, with a particular focus on SCQF⁴ level 6 qualifications.

The committee considered the report and provided comments to the Education and Children's Service.