A CONTROVERSIAL bid to establish an authorised travellers camp in rural Aberdeenshire was shot down by residents last night.
Tempers flared at a public meeting as Aberdeenshire Council officers revealed their latest proposals for a halting site at Aikey Brae, a disused quarry near Old Deer.
The local authority believes the project would slash the number of illegal camps across the region and could help improve prospects for travellers, whose life expectancy is 10-20 years below the Scottish average. But many residents insist the derelict site, which was once famous for its horse and cattle fair, is a death trap.
They also argue that encouraging travellers into rural Buchan would lead to a rise in crime and mess.
Last night, about 70 people attended a presentation at Mintlaw Academy.
All but one who took part in a show-of-hands poll said they were against plans to use the site as a travellers camp.
Housing and social work director Ritchie Johnston presented three options for the site. Each proposal includes 14 caravan pitches, a boundary fence and secure entrance.
The camp would be protected by CCTV, which would be monitored from an on-site manager’s office.
The £316,000 “stopover” option would cost travellers £10 a week for a pitch but would have limited facilities.
A second option – “transit” – would include electricity and a wash block, but the charge would rise to £67 a week.
The third option, a permanent site, would be similar but there would be no restriction on the length of stay. It would cost taxpayers just over £1million.
Last night’s meeting heard that travellers had been consulted about the scheme and told council officers they would use the site if it was approved. No members of the travelling community attended the meeting.
Mr Johnston told residents the plans had been drawn up using feedback from a public meeting at Old Deer last summer. He told residents at the end of the session: “It seems to be that the vast majority of people here are calling for a fourth option, which is not to use Aikey Brae as a site for gypsy-travellers.
“That message is very clear and that will be reported back to councillors (who will ultimately rule on the scheme).”
Fraserburgh councillor Brian Topping, who – unlike his Buchan area colleagues – can speak publicly about the scheme, said: “You’ve given us three options to consider, but there should be a fourth option – no camp.
“If the people don’t want it, then what is the point of doing this?”
Residents were split into groups and asked to discuss each proposal and note their views on flip charts.
Each group recorded many “cons” but few “pros”.
Others suggested the community could buy Aikey Brae or it could be redeveloped as a historic attraction.
All feedback from the session will be reported back to the local authority’s policy and resources committee later this month.
A planning application will be submitted in due course and this will be subject to a further public consultation.