Councillors have agreed to extend the deadline for the closure of an illegal travellers site at St Cyrus to avoid any “direct action” by the authority and allow time for other “positive” options to be devised.
Speaking to a packed public gallery at yesterday’s Aberdeenshire Council meeting, director of infrastructure services Stephen Archer said the council had been involved in “continued dialogue” with the North Esk community.
He added that four alternative sites were being considered along with the possibility of a renewed planning application.
Mr Archer confirmed it had been made clear by officers that any “fresh application” would need to address the reasons for refusal at the site – including the “risk to life” from flooding.
Following the Scottish Government’s decision last year to deny permission for the unauthorised site at North Esk, 80 residents were given until the end of July to move on.
The homes originally appeared on farmland close to the River North Esk in 2013, triggering opposition from residents and sparking a lengthy planning battle.
After refusing permission and instigating enforcement, Aberdeenshire councillors voted overwhelmingly to grant retrospective permission for the creation of an official halting site in 2016.
However, the application was called in when SEPA objected after revealing the site had flooded in 2002, 2012, 2013 and the aftermath of Storm Frank in 2015.
Yesterday, speaking on behalf of the North Esk site, Alan Seath said a “mock evacuation” had been carried out by the residents last week, to the approval of the emergency services.
He added: “If the area ever floods again – there won’t be anyone there. An evacuation plan has been put in place as soon as a flood warning is issued.”
The authority’s deputy leader, Peter Argyle, said he hoped officers would be able to bring back a report in January with “positive solutions.”
He added: “There was complete agreement across the council that the work started last January should continue.
“It is a difficult situation, but we were clear that more time is needed for dialogue and engagement.
“This remains an unauthorised development and there are clearly significant issues to be resolved. However I remain hopeful a positive solution can be found.”
Westhill councillor David Aitchison added: “The incentive is on us to find an amicable settlement – we need to keep talking.”