A north-east community has urged their local authority to reconsider plans for creating a gypsy traveller camp in an ancient battlefield.
Aberdeenshire Council’s proposals to build an official halting site for travellers at Aikey Brae near Old Deer was presented to local councillors yesterday for debate.
Village resident Alexander Thom stood up in front of the committee to make the case for the local community and reeled off a host of objections to the scheme.
He said: “This is not an appropriate potential site. It puts children’s health at risk and hinders integration.”
Objectors have argued that the distance to local schools as well as the lack of a footpath would make it dangerous for gypsy children to walk on the unclassified road.
Mr Thom added: “The community would be interested in this land as a tourist attraction.”
The historical significance of Aikey Brae is crucial to the future of the project. If approved by full council, a 10-pitch camp would be built on the land between Old Deer and Maud.
Central Buchan SNP councillor Jim Ingram called for leading scholars to analyse the site.
He argued: “You would have been writing something like Gone With The Wind if you had included all the objections.
“This is a site with a very long history. We had a major battle conducted there which united Scotland behind [Robert the Bruce in 1306].
“It’s in line with Culloden and I think we should preserve it for the future.”
Mr Ingram – who also raised concerns about possible contamination on the site – added that communities should exploit their local history and heritage for tourism in “uncertain” times.
The committee unanimously backed Mr Ingram’s comments, and called for experts from universities across Scotland to conduct “in-depth” research to give Aikey Brae “national recognition”.
Peterhead member Stephen Smith added: “Aikey Brae is in a conservation area and policy seeks to prevent development which would undermine the character of a conservation area.”
The comments made by the committee will be included in a report to full council where a final decision will be made.
