A further time extension for a decision to be made in the long-running St Cyrus Travellers site saga has been described as “an outrage”.
North East Scotland Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone has criticised the Scottish Government for extending the time period after failing to decide whether or not to call in the application.
A decision on this issue was due to have been made by now, but ministers have decided to extend this period by a further 28 days until August 23, a move which Mr Johnstone said has left local people in limbo again.
The occupants of the site in St Cyrus had faced eviction before Aberdeenshire Council’s surprise decision to grant retrospective planning permission in April.
Mr Johnstone said: “It’s outrageous if you ask me – the local people are being left in limbo again.
“People who live near the site are at their wits end with the whole thing and they really need some kind of closure.
“It’s been going on for years and every time a decision is delayed it takes us much closer to another winter with no end in sight.”
Mr Johnstone said he hopes the extension will give ministers more time to consider the “significant concerns” and call the application in.
However, he said he fears they may “cave-in” rather than face up to “addressing the situation appropriately”.
“I remain of the belief that objectors, especially those who live closest to the site, have been ridden over roughshod by a system that is not geared to deal with this type of situation,” he said.
“I am also deeply concerned at the possibility that the Scottish Government will take the path of least resistance and cave-in rather than face up to addressing the situation appropriately.”
He said if the development is allowed to go ahead then it will “drive a coach and horses” through the Scottish planning system.
One of the residents who lives near the site in St Cyrus said: “It’s very disheartening that as we approach the third anniversary of work starting on this site, we are still suffering delays on decisions being made.”
If the application is called-in then relevant parties will likely be able to table submissions.
Travellers arrived suddenly at the beauty spot in September 2013 and started constructing fences and walls.
Despite warnings from SEPA that the site lies on a flood plain, it was given retrospective planning permission in April by 41 votes to 24.
One of the main arguments for the site to remain was that Aberdeenshire Council had failed to provide any other Travellers site in Kincardine and the Mearns.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scottish Ministers have extended the period of the notified St Cyrus planning application to allow them to conclude their consideration of the application.
“Ministers are aware of the interest in this proposal and will ensure that no unnecessary delay occurs in the issue of a decision.
“As this is currently before Ministers, it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of the case.”
