The Garioch Area Committee met on Tuesday 21 April 2026 to discuss parking in Burn Lane, Inverurie, and the draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme. The committee ultimately voted to maintain the current parking charges in Burn Lane Car Park and noted that a two-part parking review would commence, aiming for completion by March 2027. Regarding the Development Plan Scheme, councillors provided comments for the draft document, which outlines the timetable for the preparation of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2029.

Parking in Burn Lane, Inverurie

The committee discussed the ongoing issue of parking charges in Burn Lane Car Park, Inverurie, following a petition requesting the reinstatement of free parking. Officers presented data showing a significant increase in income from the car park since charges were fully implemented in January 2025, with annual income rising from £81,117.55 in 2024 to £164,649.65 in 2025. Despite this increase, town centre footfall has also risen by 9.93% year-on-year, suggesting that the charges have not negatively impacted overall town centre activity.

Concerns were raised by Inverurie BID members regarding the impact on businesses, particularly regarding staff parking and customer difficulties. However, the BID survey indicated that while 81.4% of respondents felt charges had impacted their business, only 11.6% were willing to pay for staff parking permits, and 58.1% preferred free parking. The committee also noted that the Aberdeenshire-wide parking review, which will examine parking strategy and decriminalised enforcement, is scheduled to commence in 2026/27.

After considerable debate, including an amendment to the recommendations, the committee voted to maintain the current parking charges at Burn Lane Car Park. They also agreed to note that the Parking Service will begin a two-part Parking Review, with a target completion date of March 2027.

Draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme 2026

The committee also considered the draft Aberdeenshire Development Plan Scheme 2026, which sets out the anticipated timetable for the preparation of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2029. Alanna Fordyce, Policy Team Leader, presented the document, explaining that the overall programme and proposed adoption date of 2029 remain unchanged, despite some slippage in the evidence report submission.

Councillors raised questions about the timeline, particularly concerning the delays in the evidence report's gate check process and the realism of the projected timelines. Ms Fordyce explained that the initial timings were generous due to the new planning legislation, and that slippage had been absorbed by re-allocating resources and parallel working. She assured the committee that the current timetable is realistic and accounts for various factors, including resource availability and potential external delays.

The committee was also informed about the extensive engagement undertaken, including public events, community council presentations, and drop-in sessions, to gather ideas and site submissions. The focus for the next year will be on analysing these submissions to inform the drafting of the Proposed Local Development Plan, with a view to public consultation in winter 2027. The committee was asked to provide comments on the draft scheme, which will be reported to the Infrastructure Services Committee for approval.

Planning Applications

The committee also considered several planning applications:

APP/2025/1438 - Restaurant with Drive-Through Takeaway, Harlaw Road, Inverurie

The committee granted full planning permission for a restaurant with a drive-through takeaway facility adjacent to the Aldi unit on Harlaw Road, Inverurie. This decision was considered a departure from the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023 (ALDP 2023) and National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) policies relating to sustainable transport and town centre development.

Helen Atkinson, the planning officer, presented the application, highlighting that the site is a vacant brownfield location within the Inverurie town centre boundary. While Roads Development objected on policy grounds concerning the drive-through element and its potential to increase car dependency, the Planning Service recommended approval, considering the site's accessibility by various transport modes, the extant planning permission for retail use, and the potential economic benefits.

Councillors discussed concerns about traffic, noise, litter, and the impact on residential amenity, particularly for properties at The Carriages. Mitigation measures, including an acoustic barrier and restricted operating hours, were proposed. The committee also debated the opening hours and delivery times, ultimately agreeing to delegate authority to the planning officer to investigate a potential reduction in delivery vehicle arrival times. The application was granted with conditions, including those related to noise, landscaping, biodiversity, and energy efficiency.

APP/2025/0323 - Change of Use of Agricultural Building to Class 5 General Industrial, Land East of Mains of Tertowie, Kinellar

The committee granted full planning permission for the change of use of an agricultural building to Class 5 General Industrial at Mains of Tertowie, Kinellar. This retrospective application was for the conversion of a former poultry shed.

Helen Atkinson presented the application, noting that the building was redundant and that the proposed industrial uses were considered compatible with the rural location. While Roads Development objected on the grounds of non-compliance with ALDP 2023 Policy RD1 regarding sustainable transport linkages and infrastructure, the Planning Service considered this objection could be overcome due to the rural nature of the site and the pragmatic approach required for brownfield development. The committee heard that the building had been subdivided into three units for joinery, material storage, and agricultural storage. Environmental Health raised no objections subject to conditions on operating hours and noise control.

Concerns were raised by councillors regarding the lack of welfare facilities within the building and the presence of a port-a-cabin on site without planning permission. The committee ultimately decided to defer the decision to allow for further information to be gathered on the internal layout, drainage, sewerage, the status of the port-a-cabin, and the use of the parking area, particularly in relation to arable land.

APP/2026/0030 - Change of Use of Open Space to Form Garden Ground and Driveway, Land South of Leddach Road, Westhill

The committee granted full planning permission for the change of use of an area of open space to form garden ground and a driveway at Leddach Road, Westhill. This decision was considered a departure from ALDP 2023 Policy PR1 (Protecting Important Resources) and NPF4 Policy 20 (Blue and Green Infrastructure).

Willard Matiashe, the planning officer, explained that the proposal involved a minor encroachment on a small area of amenity open space to provide vehicular access to the dwelling Del Dios, which currently lacks such access. While the change of use would result in the loss of approximately 65 sqm of open space, the remaining area would be retained as green space, and a mature tree would be preserved. Roads Development had no objections, subject to standard conditions.

Concerns were raised by residents regarding increased traffic, parking issues, loss of amenity, and the impact on the open space. The committee discussed the fact that the land was owned by Aberdeenshire Council and that the planning permission was separate from any potential land sale. They also considered the justification of age and health concerns for the applicant, noting that an Integrated Impact Assessment was not deemed necessary as no differential impact on protected characteristics was identified.

After discussion, the committee agreed to grant permission, subject to conditions including tree protection measures, the formation of the access driveway to specific standards, and the removal of permitted development rights for fencing along the west boundary to maintain the open aspect.

Garioch Community Plan 2022-25 Summary Report

The committee received a summary report on the delivery of the Garioch Community Plan 2022-2025. Caroline Smith, Garioch Community Planning Officer, and Ann Overton, Garioch Area Manager, presented the report, highlighting progress made in strengthening community engagement, aligning partner resources, and progressing priority actions.

Key achievements included the development of Community Action Plans (CAPs) in several areas, such as Oyne, Westhill, Bennachie, and Kirkton of Skene, which have helped to foster local leadership and collaboration. The report also detailed progress in supporting wellbeing initiatives, such as the Garioch Food Map and the Mind yer Mind campaign, and in improving community connectivity through initiatives like Happy to Chat benches and support for digital inclusion.

The committee was informed about the ongoing work in Westhill concerning asylum seeker support and the development of place plans for Inverurie, Westhill, and Kemnay. The report noted challenges such as financial pressures on public services and community groups, and the need to maintain momentum as the plan period concludes.

The committee was recommended to note the progress update and agree the proposed focus for the final year of the plan (2025/26), which includes completing outstanding actions, evaluating impact, and developing priorities for the next Garioch Local Community Plan. The committee agreed to these recommendations.