Plans to set up a permanent gypsy-traveller camp near Aberdeen International Airport have been recommended for approval by city council planners.
George Stewart and his family have applied for permission, partly in retrospect, for pitches with space for up to six caravans at the former waterworks, Standing Stones, Dyce.
Councillors will consider the proposal next week, but it has already met opposition, from neighbouring landowners and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).
Letters of representation to the local authority’s planning service also claim that Mr Stewart has “illegally” dug trenches for water and electricity supplies through private property.
In a report to the planning development management committee, head of planning Margaret Bochel said the applicant has admitted that unauthorised work has taken place.
Yesterday, Mr Stewart, who has been living at the site for more than a year, said the pitches would only be used by his family.
Sepa has objected to proposals to use a private waste water system via a septic tank discharging to a “soakaway” within the site.
Officials from the agency said a public connection could be made, and raised fears over long-term “environmental harm and public health risks”.
However, Ms Bochel said, given the relatively small scale of the proposed development, it was “not feasible” to extend the public sewer and said a report had stated that a soakaway did not pose a risk to groundwater or local water supplies.
In a letter of objection submitted to planners Grace Hendry, of Howemoss Farm, said she did not want to “look into an eyesore”. She added: “As my fields are adjacent, there is nothing to stop other travellers pitching their caravans in these fields.”
However, Ms Bochel said she did not consider the level of objection was sufficient to warrant a public hearing to examine the application further.
Councillors are being asked to grant permission, subject to conditions including approval of drainage, sewage and landscaping plans.