The Scottish Government has called in a council’s decision to give retrospective approval for an illegally-built Travellers’ site on the Aberdeenshire/Angus border.
A public inquiry may now be held over the controversial North Esk Park site at St Cyrus, which has been at the centre of a long-running planning saga since springing up virtually overnight almost three years ago.
In the eagerly awaited call-in decision, councillors have been told the development approval may conflict with national flooding policy.
In April, Aberdeenshire councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of granting permission for North Esk Park as an official halting and touring site, lifting the threat of eviction from families there.
Council officials had recommended refusal of the site, close to the internationally-recognised St Cyrus nature reserve and on a flood plain which opponents said could put families there at risk.
But the North Esk Park development was approved by 41 votes to 25 at a full meeting of the authority after supporters said Aberdeenshire had failed to provide adequate sites for the Gypsy/Traveller community over many years.
Councillors have now been told that the application is being called in by Scottish Ministers over concerns it breaches national flood policy..
They have been advised that the government believes “the issues raised would benefit from further scrutiny by Ministers.”
A Reporter will be appointed in the case and the matter could be considered through a hearing, written submissions or possiblly a public local inquiry.
More on this latest development in Monday’s edition of The Courier.
