The Buchan Area Committee met on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, to discuss a range of local issues. Key decisions included the approval of a new dwellinghouse near Mintlaw, the deferral of a planning application for a dwelling and outbuilding at Burnhead, St Fergus, pending a site visit, and the deferral of a decision on a cabin and mobile sauna at Port Erroll Harbour to gather further information on traffic impacts. The committee also provided comments to the Infrastructure Services Committee on proposed changes to the Festive Lights Policy and agreed to awards from the Buchan Area Project Grant Fund.

Pride of Buchan Awards and Good News

The meeting began with the presentation of the Pride of Buchan Awards to Terry Moran and Natty Porter, recognising their significant contributions to the Peterhead and wider Buchan community. The committee also acknowledged several local business milestones: Bill Mackie Engineering's 30th anniversary, Gary Maskame's retirement after 35 years leading Maskame & Tait Ltd, and the opening of Murdoch Allan Butchery's new venture.

Public Sector Equality Duty and Exempt Information

The committee agreed to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality, and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it, in terms of Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010. They also agreed to exclude the public from discussions on specific items to avoid the disclosure of exempt information.

Minutes and Outstanding Business

The draft minutes of the meeting held on 25 August 2026 were approved as a correct record. The committee received an update on outstanding business, noting progress on various items. Members requested further updates on actions related to Meethill Road waiting restrictions and the Anna Ritchie School swimming pool before the October recess. Several items were discharged from the Statement of Outstanding Business as their actions were complete.

Education Scotland Inspection Report: Peterhead Central School and Nursery Class

The committee considered the overwhelmingly positive report from Education Scotland's inspection of Peterhead Central School and Nursery Class. The Head Teacher, Brian Curb, presented the findings, highlighting significant progress made since August 2025. The school received good ratings for leadership of change, learning, teaching and assessment, and ensuring wellbeing, equality, and inclusion. Satisfactory was given for raising attainment and achievement, with next steps focusing on improving numeracy and literacy, particularly in reading comprehension and writing. Members congratulated the staff and pupils on their hard work and the positive outcomes.

Planning Applications

APP/2026/0546 - Land to the Northeast of Claypots Croft, Mintlaw

The committee agreed to grant Full Planning Permission for the erection of a dwellinghouse, subject to conditions. This decision represented a departure from Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan Policy R2 and National Planning Framework 4 Policies 9 and 17, which favour brownfield redevelopment. However, the existence of an extant planning permission in principle for a dwellinghouse on the site was considered a material consideration. The proposed design was deemed appropriate for the rural setting and would not adversely impact neighbouring amenity. Several conditions were attached to the permission, covering aspects such as water safety, noise from air source heat pumps, energy statements, refuse bin storage, landscaping, visibility splays, lay-by provision, access paving, parking, vehicle turning areas, electric vehicle charging points, and drainage systems.

APP/2026/0769 - Plot 3, Land at Burnhead, St Fergus

The committee agreed to defer consideration of this application for Full Planning Permission for the erection of a dwellinghouse and outbuilding to allow for a site visit, as members felt they needed a better understanding of the size and scale of the brownfield and greenfield sites in relation to the proposals. The planning service had recommended refusal due to the incorporation of greenfield land, contrary to policies supporting brownfield redevelopment.

APP/2026/1022 - Land at Port Erroll Harbour, Port Erroll, Cruden Bay

The committee agreed to defer consideration of this application for Full Planning Permission for the siting of a cabin and mobile sauna to allow for further assessment and clarification from Roads Development and the Port Erroll Harbour Cruden Bay Trust regarding the cumulative impact of existing and proposed uses within the harbour area, including traffic generation, parking demand, access arrangements, and the interaction between harbour operations, tourism, and visitor activity. This decision was made following a tied vote between a motion to defer and an amendment to approve.

Festive Lights Policy Review 2026

The committee provided comments to the Infrastructure Services Committee on proposed changes to the Festive Lighting and Bunting Policy. Key feedback included noting that the proposed five-year upfront charge for electricity is onerous for voluntary groups, requesting clearer indications of expected community funding, the inclusion of a mechanism for refunds if groups disestablish, clarification on a website reference, concerns that smaller communities may be priced out, and a suggestion that Area Teams are best placed to manage local engagement. The committee also requested the creation of a Buchan area fund to benefit smaller settlements.

Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2027-2032

The committee noted the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2027-2032 and requested that a briefing note be circulated on staircasing in low-cost shared equity homes. The plan outlines potential delivery of 2,278 properties across Aberdeenshire, with 434 proposed for the Buchan area, primarily for social rent.

Update - Peterhead Projects

An update was provided on the progress of key Aberdeenshire Council-led projects in Peterhead. The Peterhead Community Campus is on programme, with construction activity visible on site. The Peterhead Cultural Quarter project, including works at Arbuthnot House, is also progressing, with demolition complete and internal soft strip works underway. The committee requested that key milestones, including visuals, for both projects be shared via the Council's social media channels.

Buchan Area Project Grant Fund Applications 2026/2027

The committee agreed to awards totalling £9,874.82 from the Buchan Area Project Grant Fund. The approved applications were:

• Longside Football Club: £2,000 towards new goal posts for Davidson Park.
• Strichen Community Park Company: £2,000 towards replacing the existing fat trap with a larger capacity one at Strichen Lodge Café/Restaurant.
• New Deer Community Association: £2,000 for a feasibility and development report for New Deer Public Hall, including hand-dryer replacement and solar-powered lighting.
• Peterhead Sailing Club: £1,874.82 towards their Clubhouse Heating Zoning & Energy Efficiency Project.
• Maud Village Trust: £2,000 towards establishing a community craft hub, specifically for tables and chairs.

A balance of £3,425.18 remains, which the Area Manager will disburse with agreement from the Chair and Vice Chair.

The public section of the meeting concluded with members moving to consider exempt items.