The Banff and Buchan Area Committee met on Tuesday 10 March 2026 to discuss the allocation of funds from the Crown Estate Coastal Communities Fund, review the Pennan Conservation Area, and consider a planning application for a fence in Whitehills. The committee approved the allocation of £118,961.03 from the Crown Estate fund, with £50,000 earmarked for feasibility studies and the remainder for community projects. They also approved the Pennan Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan, and refused a planning application for a fence at 1 Braeheads, Whitehills.

Banff & Buchan Crown Estate Coastal Communities Fund 2025/26 Allocation of Funds

The committee received an update on the seventh award of funding from the Crown Estate Coastal Communities Fund, totalling £118,961.03 for the Banff and Buchan area for the 2025/26 period. It was noted that all projects funded must be completed and funds allocated by 31 March 2027. The committee agreed to a proposal to top slice £50,000 from the fund to support two detailed feasibility studies. These studies will focus on the electrification and servicing of the North Pier at Macduff Harbour and assessing the viability of a new multi-function building on the Fraserburgh Promenade, as outlined in the Fraserburgh Beach Masterplan. The remaining £68,961.03 will be allocated to community-led grant-funded projects. The proposed criteria for these grants have been amended, with a minimum grant allocation of £500 and a maximum of £5,000, replacing the previous £1,000 minimum and £25,000 maximum. The grant fund will be advertised from 13 March 2026, with applications due by 1 May 2026 and all projects to be completed by 31 March 2027.

Pennan Conservation Area

The committee considered the Pennan Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan, which aims to preserve and enhance the special architectural and historic interest of the village. The plan, which has undergone extensive community consultation, identifies Pennan as a unique fishing village with a distinct character, shaped by its dramatic coastal location and traditional architecture. The committee was recommended to approve both the Appraisal and the Management Plan as planning advice. Additionally, they were asked to approve the continued use of existing and the introduction of new Article 4 Directions to control specific classes of development within the conservation area. These directions aim to ensure that any works undertaken are in keeping with the character of Pennan, which has been a conservation area since 1977. The documents provide guidance for residents, property owners, and agents on maintaining and improving properties within the conservation area, while also addressing community concerns regarding expensive materials and the need for clarity in planning decisions.

Planning Application for Erection of Fence at 1 Braeheads, Whitehills

The committee considered a planning application for the erection of a 1.8-metre high timber fence at 1 Braeheads, Whitehills, Aberdeenshire, AB45 2NP. The site is located within the Whitehills Conservation Area. The Environment and Infrastructure Services (Built Heritage) team advised that the proposed timber fence would be an alien material within the conservation area, which is characterised by low masonry walls. They recommended that the applicant should construct a masonry wall instead to avoid setting an unfavourable precedent. The report concluded that the proposed timber fence would undermine the appearance and character of the conservation area and would not comply with Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan (ALDP) Policy HE2 and National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Policy 7. Consequently, the committee was recommended to refuse the application.

The committee refused the application for Full Planning Permission for the following reason:

The proposed boundary treatment by reason of its prominent location and use of timber fencing, an alien material within the Whitehills Conservation Area, would be at odds with the traditional character of boundary treatments and would be harmful to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. Accordingly, the development does not comply with ADLP Policies P1 Layout, Siting, and Design, P3 Infill Developments within Settlements and Householder Developments (including home and work proposals), and HE2 Protecting Historic, Cultural, and Conservation Areas and NPF4 Policies 14 Design, Quality, and Place, 7 Historic assets and places and 16 Quality Homes.