A Scottish Government-appointed reporter has apologised for the delay in submitting his investigation into the unauthorised Travellers’ site at St Cyrus.
However, Rob Huntley is still unable to give a date by which the report will be in the public domain – six months after he carried out an inspection at the site.
Mr Huntley’s report was due at the end of January but his “heavy workload” and “full caseload” was initially blamed for the delay.
It was then expected to be submitted by the end of March but that was shown to be another false dawn.
One resident said: “It’s been very surprising that it’s taken six months – SEPA have categorically said the site isn’t safe so what is there to debate?
“It’s like going to the doctor and getting advice and then ignoring it.”
North East Conservative MSP Liam Kerr has kept pushing for answers from the Scottish Government after delay after delay.
Now he has received an apology from Mr Huntley after Mr Kerr wrote to him on behalf of his constituents in the St Cyrus area.
The response from the government’s planning division stated: “The reporter acknowledges and apologises for the delay in the finalisation of his report to Scottish Ministers on the called-in application for planning permission and the two outstanding enforcement appeals.
“He appreciates that this delay is unsettling to all those interested in these matters, including the council, the applicant/appellant, local residents and those resident at the site.
“He confirms that he is currently working to complete the report for submission to Ministers as soon as possible.
“The reporter is taking all representations made on the application and appeals into account in his report and gives an assurance that none of these are being ignored.
“The reporter is, however, unable to indicate a date by which the report will be in the public domain, as the timescale for publication of it will be a matter for Ministers, following submission of the report to them.”
Mr Huntley’s visit came after Scottish ministers called in a retrospective application for planning permission when flooding issues were raised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
North Esk Park has substantially expanded since the first temporary homes appeared in September 2013, and Aberdeenshire councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of granting permission for the creation of an official halting and touring site in April 2016.
Mr Kerr said: “It is all well and good for the reporter to apologise, but warm words are not going to help the residents who have been left in complete limbo due to this delay.
“It has been six months now since the inspection visit – that really is unacceptable, and suggests that St Cyrus is low down the list of priorities.
“We need to have a serious look current system and consider what changes can be made to speed up the process and protect the interests of those affected.
“At this rate, it will be summer before a report lands on the desk of the minister responsible and another three months before a decision is actually made.”
