Issue - meetings

Members, please note that all plans and supporting documents relevant to the review can be viewed online here and by entering the application reference number 230969.

With reference to article 1 of the minute of the Local Review Body meeting of 9 July 2025, whereby members agreed to adjourn the meeting and determination of the application until such time that they received a Species Protection Plan for badgers, that would be in line with NatureScot guidance,  the Local Review Body (LRB) of Aberdeen City Council met to consider a review of the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation for the refusal of the application for Detailed Planning Permission for the redevelopment of vacant industrial site, including erection of four detached houses, associated garaging/ car parking, pedestrian access paths, infrastructure and open space at Scotstown Moor Base, Shielhill Road Aberdeen, planning reference number 230969.

Councillor McRae as Chair for the meeting, gave a brief outline of the business to be undertaken, advising that the LRB would be addressed by Ms Lucy Greene who would be acting as the Planning Adviser to the Body in the following case under consideration this day.

The Chairperson stated that although the Planning Adviser was employed by the planning authority, she had not been involved in any way with the consideration or determination of the application under review and was present to provide factual information and guidance to the Body only.  He emphasised that the officer would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

In relation to the application, the LRB had before it (1) a delegated report by the Appointed Officer, Aberdeen City Council; (2) an application dated 7 August 2023; (3) the decision notice dated 13 February 2025, (4) links to the plans showing the proposal and planning policies referred to in the draft delegated report; (5) the Notice of Review submitted by the applicant/agent; and (6) consultee correspondence from various consultees. 

Ms Greene had previously described the site and outlined the appellant’s proposal for detailed planning permission, as well as the relevant planning policies, the reasons for refusal and also the applicant’s case.  Ms Greene spoke in regards to the Species Protection Plan for badgers which had been submitted. 

In terms of procedure by which the review would be conducted, Ms Greene advised that the applicant had expressed the view that a site visit should take place before determination. 

The Chairperson and Councillors Copland and Clark, and all indicated in turn that they each had enough information before them and therefore agreed that the review under consideration should be determined without any further procedure.

Ms Greene responded to questions from Members. 

Members each advised in turn and unanimously agreed to uphold the officers earlier decision.  Planning permission was therefore refused.  

In coming to their decision, the Local Review Body had regard to the provisions of the development plan as required by Sections 25 and 37 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) and other material considerations in so far as these were pertinent to the determination of the application.

More specifically, the reasons  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1

Members, please note that all plans and supporting documents relevant to the review can be viewed online here and by entering the application reference number 230969.

The Local Review Body (LRB) of Aberdeen City Council met on this day to consider a review of the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation for the refusal of the application for Detailed Planning Permission for the redevelopment of vacant industrial site, including erection of four detached houses, associated garaging/ car parking, pedestrian access paths, infrastructure and open space at Scotstown Moor Base, Shielhill Road Aberdeen, planning reference number 230969.

Councillor McRae as Chair for the meeting, gave a brief outline of the business to be undertaken, advising that the LRB would be addressed by the Assistant Clerk, Mrs Lynsey McBain with regards to the procedure to be followed and thereafter, by Ms Lucy Greene who would be acting as the Planning Adviser to the Body in the following case under consideration this day.

The Chairperson stated that although the Planning Adviser was employed by the planning authority, she had not been involved in any way with the consideration or determination of the application under review and was present to provide factual information and guidance to the Body only.  He emphasised that the officer would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

The Local Review Body was then addressed by Mrs McBain, Assistant Clerk in regard to the procedure to be followed, at which time reference was made to the procedure note circulated with the papers calling the meeting and to more general aspects relating to the procedure. 

In relation to the application, the LRB had before it (1) a delegated report by the Appointed Officer, Aberdeen City Council; (2) an application dated 7 August 2023; (3) the decision notice dated 13 February 2025, (4) links to the plans showing the proposal and planning policies referred to in the draft delegated report; (5) the Notice of Review submitted by the applicant/agent; and (6) consultee correspondence from various consultees. 

Ms Greene then described the site and outlined the appellant’s proposal for detailed planning permission.

Ms Greene advised that the site comprised a vacant warehouse /storage site located to the west of the Dubford residential development site. It contained two shed-like buildings of industrial appearance and associated single storey office building. The open storage yard area was surfaced with concrete and hardcore and was enclosed by chain-link fencing. The site was accessed from Shielhill Road. There were a number of young trees and scrub areas at the fringes of the site. There was a change in levels of around 5.5m across the site with ground levels rising up to the east and south. The south-west corner of the site and adjacent land to the west and south was designated as Scotstown Local Nature Conservation Site (LNCS). This was a varied area largely comprising open moorland / rough grassland and limited woodland. The burn of Mundurno and associated marshland lay to the west of the site, across Shielhill Road. The land to the east was formed by an embankment and mounded area which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1