Decision Maker: Garioch Area Committee

Outcome: Approve

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: April 22, 2025

Purpose: The report sets out and seeks consideration of the Evidence Report prior to the submission of said report for Gatecheck by the Scottish Government Division for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA). The Evidence Report is a collection of all the information that must be considered before the Council can embark on the preparation of the Proposed Local Development Plan. The purpose of the evidence collected is to inform the plan making process, and to provide a baseline from which planning authorities can assess where development should take place in their areas.

Content: Committee agreed to provide the following comments:-   a)       consider the terminology used regarding “hydrogen battery storage” (Ref Page 52 3.2.6 and Page 66);   b)       give consideration to veteran’s housing;   c)       masterplanning process requires refinement especially where it conflicts with the site allocation and planning process;   d)       Section 75s and Developer Obligations is very focussed on infrastructure.  Consideration should be given to inclusion of other required resources e.g. doctors, teachers and public transport provision;   e)       consideration should be given as to whether SUDS provision should be included in the 40% usable open space:   f)        mixed uses on allocated sites should be realistic;   g)       phasing of development should ensure that required infrastructure is provided   h)       clarification should be provided about when the four unpublished policies will be published;   i)        business and industrial land (176), the number of completions doesn’t support the statement in paragraph 177 and this should be reworded;   j)        consideration should be given to reversing the organic growth policy;   k)       concerned about the focus of building around transport links and what that means for remote and rural parts of Aberdeenshire;   l)        consideration should be given to identifying and taking into account,  cumulative impacts of the development of renewable infrastructure;   m)      clarity is required regarding the expectations on developers for EV charging provision within homes and how those without this facility can be supported.   n)       Infrastructure first – it is necessary to ensure that the development of infrastructure on sites is provided throughout development and not left to the end.  This is especially important in sites where there are multiple developers involved.