Council refuses plans for controversial Garioch travellers site

Plans for a controversial travellers site in an Aberdeenshire woodlands have been thrown out by councillors.

The proposals for a seven-pitch caravan park for the gypsy-traveller community at Quarry Wood, near Kemnay, were rejected by 27-24
at a full meeting of Aberdeenshire Council today.

The application, which is part retrospective, had been recommended for approval despite receiving 42 objections.

Local authority planners had said the plans should be backed as a departure from the Aberdeenshire local development plan (LDP) subject to a number of conditions.

One of these is that each of the seven pitches has no more than one principal chalet, two touring caravans and a utility building.

The plans have been submitted by George Stewart through his agent, Alan Seath Planning Consultancy.

The council has previously taken enforcement action at the site following complaints of tree felling and alleged development work.