Plans to build a self-sufficient home and environmental educational centre in New Aberdour have been narrowly refused.

Experienced farmers and educators Mr and Mrs H Groom had applied to Aberdeenshire Council in a bid to create the "living off the land" development to the east of the village.

The project would have seen a “wholly self-sufficient” site built with space for livestock and chickens, vegetable growing plots, an orchard and solar panels.

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It was hoped the education building would have given visitors the chance to learn more about the site and how it operates.

Plans for the development were first unveiled last year.

But the proposal was recommended for refusal by council planners.

They said it would not meet policy and argued there was no justification for a home to be built on the site.

Mr and Mrs Groom claimed that the proposal would provide a new attraction for nearby residents and visitors to the glamping site located nearby.

They said that people of all ages and abilities would be able to learn about sustainable farming practices and lifestyles.

The couple intended to house a variety of animals there including sheep, goats, pigs, cows, ducks, chickens and even emus.

It was proposed that over time, produce would eventually have been sold on the site including meat, wool, eggs, cheese, fruit and vegetables.

Meanwhile, the three-bedroom bungalow would have helped to demonstrate the site’s self-sufficiency.

The couple planned to live in the home to look after the animals.

The application recently went before members of the Banff and Buchan area committee.

Ryan Urquhart of architects Baxter Design Company told councillors the idea was derived from the couple’s “passion” to educate.

He also said that the site would bring much-needed tourism to the area and help support other facilities in the area.

Meanwhile, Mrs Groom spoke at the meeting to argue her case for the application.

She told members that they currently live 10 hours away in Bedfordshire, adding that it “wouldn’t be very sustainable” if they were forced to travel to and from the site each day.

Mrs Groom also confirmed that she would run the facility with her husband until they got to the point where they felt they could expand.

They hoped to attract local artisan businesses to the education centre, where experts could come along and teach various skills such as weaving or cheese making.

The single-storey education centre was designed to have a central viewing gallery and abattoir area.

Mrs Groom told the committee that they aimed to gain the appropriate licences to be able to run the abattoir, which they intended to use alongside a kitchen area.

Councillor Mark Findlater hailed the couple for their “wonderful aspirations” and suggested the application be approved.

He said: “In terms of social and economic benefits, but also the environmental and sustainability and indeed the educational side of this.

“I think it is a laudable vision and would actually add a lot of benefits to the area.”

Councillor Ross Cassie also backed the proposal and welcomed the promise of extra jobs.

However, councillor Stewart Adams urged for members to go with the planners’ recommendation and called for the proposal to be refused.

A resulting vote ended in a tie and committee chairwoman councillor Doreen Mair had the final say.

But, she decided to back the recommendation and refused the application.

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