Planners against gypsy proposals

A plan to establish a permanent gypsy traveller site in Aberdeen is being recommended for refusal.

The controversial proposal is for five permanent pitches on former agricultural land in the Dyce area.

However, Aberdeen City Council planners are against the move and enforcement action may have to be taken to halt any unauthorised development.

The plans will be considered at a meeting of the council's planning committee next week.

The site is on Pitmedden Road and in a report to the committee the head of planning and infrastructure, Dr Margaret Bochel, said the land was most recently authorised to be used for agricultural purposes.

She stated: "However, over the past few weeks, unauthorised development has occurred on the site.

Public confidence

"The top soil has been scraped off and it is understood that septic tanks have been installed on the site.

"There were two large mobile homes, 11 caravans and various cars and commercial pick-up trucks parked on the site.

"The site did however give the impression of being well run and was generally tidy."

West Don Community Council has objected on the grounds that the application represents an inappropriate land use, and other objections have included fears of an "unsightly mess".

Dr Bochel said that the development does not comply with green belt policy and recommended refusal.

She said: "It is also recommended that appropriate enforcement action be initiated to secure the cessation of the unauthorised use, the removal of all caravans, mobile homes and other structures.

"Failure to take appropriate enforcement action in this instance would lead to erosion in the stability of, and public confidence in, the established green belt policy."

The plans will be considered on 16 February.