Residents living near an illegal Travellers’ site north of Montrose say their sense of community has been ripped apart by the controversial development.
Homeowners claim the construction of the gated site has sent a ripple effect through the surrounding area, causing a sense of uncertainty.
Their growing concern comes as St Cyrus Community Council prepares to submit a formal objection to a second retrospective planning application lodged about the site near the nature reserve.
This week will also see the issue return to court in a scheduled hearing at Stonehaven over an alleged breach of an interim interdict granted in favour of the council to prevent further works at the site near the river North Esk.
Residents say they have been left stunned by what they see as a “complete disregard of planning rules” after new street lighting and a welcome sign were added to the developing site.
A homeowner, who asked not to be named, said: “This is a matter of principle. It’s not racism, as has been claimed before, and it’s nothing to do with who is on the site.
“It’s the fact that it doesn’t belong here and there are planning rules to be followed. We look out for each other but things like house values are going to be reduced because of this.”
The additional plans, submitted by Traveller William Docherty, were revealed by The Courier last year after months of disruption at the site beside Eskview Farm.
Mr Docherty’s application includes plans for a toilet block, washroom and pump station, all of which were built months ago without permission.
A road and bund have also been formed at the camp.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency revealed a new flood map last week which indicates the site borders an area listed as “highly likely” to be subject to flooding.
The camp has the river North Esk to the south and coastline to the east, and nearby residents have previously spoken of their fears poor drainage infrastructure and a disruption to the land could cause flooding.
St Cyrus Community Council chairman Eric Herd said: “There is very strong opposition to the site in the village and there is a real worry that the nature of the area will be changed beyond what can be accepted.
“At an open meeting of the community council it was brought to my attention that some residents find the site to be an eyesore in what is supposed to be an area of outstanding natural beauty.
“No one from the travelling community was present to voice their views at the open meeting.”
The site near St Cyrus Nature Reserve has been home to a group of Travellers since the weekend of September 21 last year.
A previous application for the formation of a 10-stance caravan park at the same site is still pending with the council.
Proceedings regarding an alleged breach of an interim interdict placed on the site to stop work being carried out is also due to come before Stonehaven Sheriff Court again within days.
Traveller James McCallum failed to appear at the first court hearing in December, when he was summoned to face allegations he and other occupants of the site breached the interim interdict.
Mr McCallum denied the breach and a period of 21 days was set aside for answers to be provided to the court and council lawyers, stating his reasons why.
The deadline for a response passed on January 9 and Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed no reply was lodged by Mr McCallum in that time frame.
Head of planning and building standards Robert Gray said: “We are aware of work recently carried out on the site near Eskview Farm near St Cyrus and continue to monitor the situation.
“The two retrospective planning applications are currently being assessed by the planning service.”
Regarding the second application, Traveller Duncan Reid, one of the four owners of the land, said he has been trying to get a site in St Cyrus for 15 years.
He said since the caravans had arrived he hoped to have a “lovely”, well-kept site.