Councillors will be asked to decide on two retrospective planning applications relating to an unauthorised encampment on the Aberdeenshire/Angus border.
Two applications have been received for a change of use of agricultural land beside Eskview Farm, to the south of St Cyrus and near the national nature reserve.
One relates to the creation of a permanent halting site, the other to a site for touring Gypsies/Travellers both part of the same compound.
Drainage covering both sites has been designed for up to 120 people.
Travellers James McCallum and William Docherty who made previous planning applications at the site have again applied for planning permission with regards the latest change of use.
Representations have been made for both applications, both supporting and objecting to the developments.
The site, which currently houses a number of caravans and Gypsy/Travellers, forms part of the functional flood plain of the North Esk.
The applications are deemed to be of regional significance and so will be determined at a meeting of the full council in Aberdeen next week.
Members of the Kincardine and Mearns area committee were recently asked for their views, prior to the consideration of the applications by all councillors.
Local councillors supported the recommendations of officers to refuse both applications, while asking that further account be taken of potential impacts in relation to the safety risks of residents remaining on the site.
North Esk Park was established in September 2013 and quickly developed into a site with roads and lighting which was the base for around 20 caravans surrounded by a 1.8 metre fence.
A temporary stop notice was issued and interdict granted at Stonehaven Sheriff Court, but work continued on the site.
After several delays, which saw two retrospective planning applications made and then withdrawn, the Kincardine and Mearns area committee were able to give their views 18 months after the development started. They voted to refuse permission by eight votes to two.
Planning officers are asking next week’s full council to support their recommendation that both applications be refused.
The first application seeks full planning permission for retrospective change of use of agricultural land to form an eight-stance caravan park, the formation of a road, recycling point, bund and boundary fencing.
The second seeks full planning permission for a retrospective change of use of agricultural land to a site for touring Gypsies/Travellers, the erection of two stances, a toilet block, washroom, pump station and recycling point, the formation of a road, a bund and boundary fencing.