Decision Maker: Banff and Buchan Area Committee

Outcome: Approve

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: April 15, 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: 1.    The Committee agreed:-   2.    the recommendations as per the report; and   3.    to provide the following comments on the Evidence Report to ISC :-   a.    the ageing demographic has not been consulted widely enough;   b.    Links between Place Plans and Local Place Plans should inform the LDP;  c.    more focus required on the cumulative impact of energy infrastructure and local economic strategy;   d.    provision of public transport – find ways to assist rural communities.     e.    Fraserburgh Harbour as a base for offshore wind and major marine servicing, and Macduff as a base for major ship building and marine servicing to be included in the report;   f.     The Green Transition Zone to include a wider area than noted in the report;   g.    Energetica – is it still relevant? Widen out to include green transmission;   h.    Page 436 - lack of focus on fishing, farming and marine activity;   i.      more flexibility with rural developments as access to provisions continue to rise; j.      consider conservation areas and how they affect economic viability of town centres; and k.    Officers to review report, check if business properties are still in existence / no longer operating.