Proposal for rock aggregate quarry near Newmachar is refused by area committee
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Formartine councillors have refused controversial plans to form a rock aggregate quarry near Newmachar.
The area committee made its final assessment of the proposal at its meeting on Tuesday.
Applicant JKR Contractors was looking to create the site east of Newton of Rainnieshill Cottage near Beauty Hill.
The proposal proved to be contentious with the local authority receiving 189 objections to it, including a petition with 743 signatures. There were also 135 representations of support.
One of the objectors was East Garioch Councillor Jim Gifford who lives near to the site.
The council's planning department recommended that the application be granted.
The quarry was proposed to measure approximately 9.2 hectares and be located in the countryside near to Newmachar and Kingseat, lying on the western slope of Beauty Hill, which is a local point of interest.
The proposal was discussed at the meeting of the Garioch area committee on April 19 in order to seek members’ views as it would have had an impact on that area.
Councillors agreed to recommend to the Formartine area committee that it refuse full planning permission.
Their reasons were there would be a significant and demonstrable adverse impact on the landscape given the prominence of the site. There would be an unacceptable and detrimental adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties given their proximity to the access and the site. Also that the principle of development has not been established given the limited information about current reserves. Therefore, the need for the application has not been demonstrated.
At its meeting on Tuesday the Formartine area committee concurred with the Garioch councillors' views and it refused full planning permission.
Formartine councillors initially assessed the application during their meeting on June 14.
They deferred it so a site visit could be carried out and to obtain information on school bus routes and the confirmation of the status of a nearby water pipe.
Presenting the report to the committee at Tuesday's meeting planning officer Roslyn Purdie said: "During the site visit the question was raised as to whether the proposed development would have any impact on historic assests. The built heritage team has provided comments stating that it will not impact on any of the settings of listed buildings, conservation areas or other historic assets found within the immediate vicinity of the site.
"Members asked about the road infrastructure to the north of the proposed access, whether it is suitable for HGVs and if it is a good idea for them to travel in this direction. Roads development advised during the last committee meeting that the public road infrastructure surrounding the site is capable of accommodating HGVs.
"Members also asked see plans of the local school bus routes. These were made available at the site visit. Whilst there is a slight overlap with the bus routes at Hillbrae Way the planning service does not deem this to be significant in terms of its impact on the access to and from the proposed site.
"Finally, the location of a Scottish Water mains distribution pipe was one of the topics of discussion. It crosses the proposed access track which is already in use by Rainnieshill cottages and it continues northwards crossing underneath the A947 trunk road. Scottish Water has been consulted and they have not objected to the proposed development. The applicant is to contact them directly for any necessary licences and guidance prior to commencement of any works on site."
Kevin Taylor from the applicant JKR Contractors put forward the company's case to councillors during the meeting.
He said: "There are no objections to the proposal from technical consultees and it is recommended for approval.
"The proposed development is important to support our business, as well as providing a source of aggregate close to where it would be used.
"For these reasons I would urge you to support the planning officer's recommendation for approval."
The issues outlined by the objectors were the suitability of road infrastructure; concerns about the impacts on infrastructure from blasting; concerns about overlooking and the impact on privacy; and the impacts of dust on air quality, public health and wellbeing. Newmachar Community Council and Udny Community Council both objected to the plans.
One of the objectors Bill Kinnaird told the meeting: "We live at Rainnieshill cottages a very dangerous spot on the road.
"Heavy equipment and lorries using this route will be a hazard to us and the walkers and cyclists who use it daily.
"We have no pavement here to leave our home or even to access our garage. We step directly onto the roadway at a steeply sloped 90 degree bend. This is a notoriously dangerous corner for normal traffic where there are regular accidents in winter, never mind heavy construction and quarry traffic.
"The road is not fit for heavy traffic purposes."
In the representations of support their reasons for backing it included the development would support local jobs and businesses; it would support economic recovery as there is a lack of trade materials in Scotland; the enhancement of biodiversity through restoration; and the scale of the quarry is not large enough to cause disturbance.
Councillor Derek Ritchie made a motion during the meeting that the application should be refused.
He said: "I went on the site visit with an open mind but I have to say I am concerned about the noise and the transport issues that have been raised already.
"I feel with this whole application the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.
"I wish to move to refuse this application on the same grounds that the Garioch area committee concluded."
He was seconded by Councillor Andrew Hassan. Councillor Iain Taylor made an amendment to grant the proposal but he found no support, so the decision to refuse was passed.
