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Garioch Area Committee - Tuesday, 16th September, 2025 9.30 am
September 16, 2025 Garioch Area Committee View on council website Watch video of meeting Watch video of meetingSummary
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The Garioch Area Committee scheduled a meeting to discuss a range of topics, including planning applications, housing investment, and traffic regulations. The meeting was to be held both in person and virtually.
Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2026-2031
The committee was scheduled to provide feedback on the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2026-2031, which outlines investment priorities for affordable housing over a five-year period. The plan aims to deliver 2,291 new affordable homes, with a focus on homes suitable for particular needs and social rent properties. Of these 2291 homes, 632 in total are proposed for Garioch; 497 for social rent with around 154 of these potentially suitable for particular needs of which 33 would be fully wheelchair accessible and 121 for mid market rent and 14 for low cost shared equity.
The report stated that the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2026-2031 Project Details was subject to developments coming forward, obtaining necessary approvals and consents, and that inclusion in the plan did not represent a contract or award of funding for projects.
The Integrated Impact Assessment found that the delivery of a wide range of good quality, energy efficient affordable housing would in the main have positive impacts with respect to Children's Rights and Wellbeing; Climate Change and Sustainability; Equalities and Fairer Scotland Duty; Health Inequalities; and Town Centre's First.
Planning Applications
The committee was scheduled to consider two planning applications:
- Field to East of A947 at Goval, Newmachar. This was an application for full planning permission for the change of use of land to form two football pitches, the siting of containers for changing facilities, and the formation of a car park. The applicant was Newmachar United Football Club. A letter of support had been received, and Sport Scotland had no comments to make. Roads Development had objected to the application on the basis of non-compliance with Policy RD1 Providing Suitable Services of the ALDP 2023, but had agreed that certain specific issues may be mitigated by imposing planning conditions.
- The Goat Shed, West of Roadside Croft, Durno. This was an application for planning permission in principle for the change of use and extension of an outbuilding to form a dwellinghouse. No representations had been received. Roads Development had not objected to the application subject to the inclusion of conditions and informatives.
Removal of Prohibition of Right Turn Order, Westhill
The committee was scheduled to consider a report about the removal of prohibition of right turn orders at the junction of Exploration Way and B9119 at Westhill. The prohibition of right turns were approved for the junction with the new Arnhall Business Park in Westhill. The report stated that the junction has since been redesigned to improve traffic flow and address perceived issues with the existing junction, and that the prohibition of right turn orders are no longer required.
Other Matters
The agenda also included:
- Minute of the previous meeting on 26 August 2025 for approval.
- A statement of outstanding business.
- A report on the use of specific delegation, which was exempt from the press and public.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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The Garioch Area Committee decided to grant planning permission in principle for the change of use and extension of an outbuilding to form a dwellinghouse. This decision was made on 16 September 2025. The decision included a condition for a photographic survey of the 19th-century outbuilding and an informative regarding potential land contamination.
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The Garioch Area Committee decided to grant full planning permission for the change of use of land to form two football pitches, siting of containers for changing facilities, and formation of car parking. This decision was made on 16 September 2025. The committee agreed to conditions including the provision of a full proposal for the lining and signing of the right stacking lane prior to commencement of work and a submission of a Stage 3 Safety Audit one year after opening.
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Minute of Meeting
ApproveThe Garioch Area Committee of Aberdeenshire Council agreed to approve the minute of its previous meeting on 26 August 2025. The committee also agreed to note the items of outstanding business as at 26 August 2025.
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The Garioch Area Committee noted progress on items 1, 3, and 4 of the Statement of Outstanding Business on 16 September 2025. The Committee also agreed to discharge the element of item 2 relating to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service but required Planning to continue seeking confirmation of training and equipment provision for the Fire Service as agreed by the applicant.
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The Garioch Area Committee decided to provide comments on the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2026-2031 on 16 September 2025. The committee's comments include suggestions for clarifying the housing settlement scoring system, assessing the ambition of the 250 houses per annum target, and reviewing the balance between development quality and speed. They also recommended considering how to better promote housing options to key workers and strengthening the message to the Scottish Government regarding early notice of funding.
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