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Councillors to back traveller camp at Aikey Brae despite scores of objections
Planning chiefs are urging councillors to back a controversial travellers site – despite dozens of objections from local residents.
Aberdeenshire Council has lodged plans to create a 10-pitch stopover site at Aikey Brae, a disused quarry near Old Deer.
The site has historic connections to the gypsy community and has often been used for unlicenced encampments, but residents are furious that it could become an official spot and have protested against the plans.
A total of 83 “valid” comments were made to council planners during the public consultation, with 78 objecting to the scheme.
In a letter of objection, Old Deer community council chairman Norman Burnett said members are concerned the traveller site will discourage tourists from visiting the area.
He added: “The siting of a travellers’ site is not compatible with the communities desire to protect, preserve and in the future, enhance this area.”
In a similar letter, Old Deer resident Alexander Thom said that while he “understood” the council’s duty towards the gypsy community, the choice of Aikey Brae is not “practical”.
He said: “This is certainly not a wise choice of location for children or young people from their safety, health, schooling and
social integration points of view.
“Indeed, it puts their health at risk, creates difficulties for attending school, and hinders integration.”
Concerns raised included a risk to pedestrians with increased traffic on the rural roads, difficulties accessing the quarry site and that “more appropriate sites” have not been considered.
The local council has a legal duty to provide accommodation for travellers but no official encampment has ever been built.
And in his report to councillors, infrastructure director Stephen Archer said there is a “identified need” for an official traveller site.
He added: “Due to the lack of site provision, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City experience more unauthorised encampments in comparison to other local authorities throughout Scotland.”
Members of the Buchan area committee will discuss the application in Peterhead on Tuesday. A final decision will be made by full council later this year.
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Aikey Brae Traveller site is owned and managed by the council and consists of 10 pitches and a site office. Each pitch has an electric pillar, a portable toilet and residents have access to...
Aikey Brae Travellers Site. By Anthony Irtelli/ 5 June, 2024. Other News Stories. High Court declares parts of Police Act 2022 in breach of European Convention on Human Rights. 14 May, 2024. Here are the winners of the Friends, Families and Travellers Awards 2024! 26 April, 2024.
8 | Aberdeenshire Gypsy/Traveller Site Provision Strategy 2021-2026 3.1.1 Aberdeenshire Council currently provides two sites at Greenbanks, Banff (20 pitches) and at Aikey Brae (10...
Plans to create Aberdeenshire’s first official gypsy/traveller stopover site have taken a step forward. Councillors agreed, in principle, to the potential creation of a gypsy/traveller site...
Aikey Brae Gypsy/Traveller Transit Site is open all year round. The site has 10 good sized pitches, all of which have a chemical toilet and an electric hook up, (electric cards are available to purchase), waste bins are provided and water is available.
New management rules for a 10-pitch Traveller stopover site were agreed at a council meeting yesterday. The £250,000 project at a disused quarry at Aikey Brae near New Deer is now almost...
An official traveller halting site at Aikey Brae, near Old Deer, has been on the table for years. But residents are adamant the historic site is not suitable, and have been backed up by local...
January 26 2017, 6:03 am. Planning chiefs are urging councillors to back a controversial travellers site – despite dozens of objections from local residents. Aberdeenshire Council has lodged...
Consider upgrades for Aikey Brae as part of new national fund. Aberdeenshire Council was unsuccessful in its original, bid in 2022 to the Scottish Government £20m Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund 2022-2025, to upgrade facilities at Aikey Brae Travellers’ Site.
Aikey Brae as part of new national fund. Housing Strategy and Building Standards Manager Aberdeenshire Council was unsuccessful in its original, Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund 2022-2025, to upgrade facilities at Aikey Brae Travellers’ Site. The proposed improvements have been reviewed and consideration is being given to future provision of