Local councillors have commended proposals to preserve some of Aberdeenshire’s most treasured landscapes.
The Marr Area Committee applauded planning officers on their work in producing supplementary guidance on protecting Aberdeenshire’s landscapes as part of Aberdeenshire’s Local Development Plan.
In the document, 10 special landscape areas are defined, covering approximately 26.7% of the Aberdeenshire LDP area.
The scheme aims to safeguard key natural landscaping elements, historic features and landscape character by prohibiting development which would “adversely affect” such sites.
Councillors on yesterday’s committee welcomed the plans with six of the 10 special areas falling within the Marr area boundaries.
The boundaries used in the report were the only point of discussion with Linda Clark making a plea to include Scolty Hill in the special landscape area and Moira Ingleby querying whether Beldorney Castle could also be included.
Both of these suggestions will now be considered against the specific criteria used to identify special landscape areas.
But, in general, members were pleased with the work and satisfied to see plans moving forward to preserve the region’s landscapes.
Councillor Peter Argyle said: “It’s really good to see this enjoyable report and I have nothing to add or take away from this work.
“The report picks up clearly the special landscapes and I am really happy to see this go ahead.”
Ms Ingleby added: “These special landscapes make me proud to live in Aberdeenshire.
“The report is fantastic – I am really pleased with the work and the great intentions of the report.”
The 10 special landscape areas defined in the report are the North, North East and South East Aberdeenshire Coast, Deveron Valley, Bennachie, Upper Don Valley, Howe of Cromar, Dee Valley, Clachnaben and Forest of Birse and The Braes of Mearns.