WHAT YOU CAN DO

Object to the development and write to your Local Councillors

 

Relevant objections and related policy

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LOSS OF AMENITY/ACCESS TO NATURE

This is a very popular natural green space renowned for its bird song and as such its presence encourages people to be active in the area. The Core Path through the site is flat and level making it accessible for people with a range of mobility abilities (other natural

green spaces in the locality are steeply sloped) thus it allows accessible access to a natural area.

The loss of this natural green space would therefore be in conflict with the new National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) namely Annex D where it lays out Six Qualities of Successful Places, Subsection 1.

‘Healthy’

“healthy and active lifestyles, through the creation of walkable neighbourhoods, food growing opportunities and access to nature and greenspace”

and

“accessibility and inclusion for everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ability and culture”

The site is heavily used by local walkers and joggers, and occasionally by cyclists. Various paths interweave through the site amongst the trees. Outcome 4 of the ‘Active Scotland Delivery Plan’ states that we need to “to ensure that our environments support outdoor play, walking, cycling and other forms of active travel, and provide inspiring and safe opportunities for people to participate in physical activity and sport.”

There is nothing more inspiring than being immersed in nature.

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LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

The woodland part of the development site contains newly identified veteran trees.

The area to the north of the Core Path was mapped and recorded as scrub (with some grassland) in the Ecology and Habitat Surveys undertaken in 2017  submitted by the developer. In its Biodiversity Information for Developers, Important Habitats for Biodiversity in the North East of Scotland, the North East Biodiversity Partnership states that scrub areas are “important for a range of declining bird species” and two of the species it lists, Whitethroat and Dunnock, have now been recorded at the site. In total so far almost 40 bird species including nine Amber list species and one Red list species have been recorded across the development area. The site's importance for bird life was not identified in the original ecological survey.  

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LOSS OF PUBLIC VIEW

This area is part of the Dee Valley Special Landscape Area and there are fine views from the Core Path across to moorland hills. Appendix 13 of the LDP states that "Proposals should not impact on the sense of place provided by the river and wooded banks, rising to moorland hills". This  loss of public/community view cannot be practically mitigated.

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CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLORS AND BANCHORY COMMUNITY COUNCIL

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Councillor Eileen Durno

cllr.e.durno@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

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Councillor Yi-Pei Chou Turvey

cllr.y.chouturvey@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

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Councillor Ann Ross

cllr.ann.ross@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

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Banchory Community Council

banchorycommunity@hotmail.com 

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FULL LIST OF VALID OBJECTIONS

Below is a list examples of valid planning objections taken from various sources:

 

The proposed development will:

● be contrary to planning policy or other laws or policies;

● not be in keeping with the context or scale of the area;

● have a negative impact on a conservation area;

● have a negative impact on the amenity of another property, e.g. noise, odour, light pollution, loss of daylight, privacy, or late-night activities;

● be of a different land-use type for the area, e.g. industrial, residential;

● have a layout or density that is inappropriate for the area;

● cause traffic congestion, access or safety problems;

● reduce available or provide insufficient car parking;

● be similar to other rejected similar developments in the area;

● create a precedent making it difficult to object to similar proposals;

● be piecemeal, preventing proper future development of the area;

● have a negative economic impact;

● result in loss of vitality and viability of the local high street;

● adversely impact listed buildings or sites of cultural or architectural value such as monuments;

● impact environmental health, a conservation area or green belt, or the natural environment e.g. a significant loss of trees;

● result in loss of amenities such as green spaces, recreational grounds or community buildings;

● not have sufficient landscaping;

● create visual clutter (advertising);

● result in the loss of important public views (loss of a personal view is not seen as a material consideration);

● not be able to be serviced by local infrastructure;

● have a cumulative impact alongside other developments;

● have inadequate access for people with disabilities.

● have a negative impact on visual amenity (but not loss of private view).

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