Councillor Stephen Smith

The Buchan Area Committee decided to defer the application. The committee agreed to hear a request to speak and unanimously deferred the application for two committee cycles to allow the applicant to clarify surface water drainage, secure developer obligations, and provide biodiversity net gain proposals.

The Buchan Area Committee of Aberdeenshire Council approved the draft minute of its meeting on 21 April 2026 on 12 May 2026. The committee agreed to have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty and to exclude the public from discussions involving exempt information.

The Buchan Area Committee of Aberdeenshire Council approved the Sederunt and Declaration of Members' Interests on 12 May 2026. Ten councillors were in attendance.

The Buchan Area Committee agreed to grant full planning permission for the erection of a dwellinghouse at Plot 4 Backhill of Mintlaw, subject to the agreement of developer obligations and relevant planning conditions. The committee considered the proposal an acceptable departure regarding prime agricultural land, noting existing development and evidence of previous use. They also determined the design was in keeping with surrounding properties and represented an environmental improvement.

The Buchan Area Committee of Aberdeenshire Council agreed to note updates on 2025-26 works, approve proposals for allocating revenue funding for roads and bridges, and submit comments to the Infrastructure Services Committee. The committee requested officers communicate in advance with interested parties and landowners regarding private lighting unit ownership and asked for clarification on how council tax rises are being utilised.