18 January 2018

Council to progress action plan for North Esk Gypsy Traveller site

Aberdeenshire Council has discussed an action plan for the future of the North Esk Gypsy Traveller site near St Cyrus.

Councillors were told in November that Scottish Ministers had refused retrospective planning permission for the site, and that the council would need to ensure compliance with a planning enforcement notice.

At a meeting of the full council today (Thu, Jan 18), it was agreed that officers should continue to work closely with the planning agent and residents of North Esk to explore options and opportunities. No immediate action will take place on the site.

During the discussion, representatives for the residents of North Esk called for the council to consider the ‘human angle’ of the issue and to consider the needs of the families concerned.

Cllr Peter Argyle moved that the council should commit to early work to seek to an alternative site, and was supported by Council Leader Jim Gifford. The motion was supported by all members.

A further report will be brought back to the full council in June with an update and a suggested course of action.

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed via https://aberdeenshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home