Apologies Edward Arthur (EA), Donald Keith (DK)

Present

Crathes Hamish Taylor (HT)

Drumoak Jill Gow (JG), Jill Hendry (JHE), Ronald Stark (RS), Mark Leigh (ML)

Durris John Hopkins (JHO), David Hirst (DH), Jean Downie (JD)

Ward Councillor Jenny Watson (JW)

Members of the Public – nil

The previous meeting minutes were accepted. (ML proposed, RS seconded)

Matters Arising

The web site (JHO "webmaster") is making fine progress and will help to share information to/from the CDDCC

Contact has been made with the Deeside Piper (Phil Allen), who has agreed to take articles from us, at around 400 words. They will also take photographs. Articles should be plain text within the body of an email, with .jpg photographs. They will then format as required for going to press. The potential area of controversy will be if the editorial line of the paper is at odds with the view of the CDDCC. ML agreed to provide articles.

A short synopsis of the last meeting was prepared by RS for putting on notice boards, shops etc. RS will also prepare in future. Note that Woodside Farm have also agreed to post information for us.

There has been no progress yet in using the Neighbourhood watch network as part of our communication plan. JG to discuss.

It was suggested that an additional part of the communication plan will be for the creation of an email mailing list for those who are interested to receive items this way. It was also agreed that all media types will cross-market, so each media makes reference to the others.

Most thumbnail CVs and photographs have been provided.

The following Office bearers were elected to serve

Chair Hamish Taylor

Treasurer John Hopkins

Minutes Secretary Mark Leigh (6 months)

Correspondence Secretary Jill Gow

Grants Liaison David Hirst & Ronald Stark

Planning Liaison Donald Keith

Webmaster John Hopkins

(Co-opted Member Jean Downie)

HT will attend the forthcoming Community Groups Safety Seminar and the Womens Day

ML will attend the Kincardine and Mearns Community Council Forum meeting

Thanks were expressed to DK for the preparation of the Statement of Case document. It was uncertain whether additional documents are required or not, and whether the Sequential test is a core document or not. HT and JHO to define what additional documentation is required.

There then followed a detailed review of the draft, lead by RS, who agreed to carry out some re-drafting and send to HT who will send on to the correct council recipient. In summary, the proposed changes related to Coupers road usage and to site use following possible business failure of this proposal

The issue of how to repair this bridge was kicked-off by the Friends of Durris Forest (FDF) group, and Mark Haggar. It was suggested that the CDDCC could buy the bridge for a nominal sum, thus creating easier access to grant funds, which are not available to the current commercial owners (Dunecht Estate). CDDCC would then project manage the repair of the bridge for the community.

A number of concerns were raised this proposal, which we agreed was not a good idea on the basis

It was suggested that Historic Scotland be approached again, and that the Aberdeenshire Archeologist be approached for advice.

JW will speak to Mr Ian Shepherd at Woodhill House (Archeologist)

DH raised concerns about the development plans for Woodlands, and the responses from Cllr Sandy Wallace.

The original plan was for c 20 houses split into 3 areas in the community. The plan now stands at c. 30 houses, with 20 surrounding the school and recreation area. DH objections to this change of approach were outweighed by objections from Kirkton of Durris, and hence the increase of houses at Woodlands. In addition, there may be a further 10 houses due to
re-allocation, so the community will effectively double in size, leading to an additional ~100 car journeys past the school.

JW outlined the current process with regard to planning. There has to be an increase in housing as defined by the Scottish Executive. Objections have to identify alternate locations for the houses.

The problem now is that all objections seem to have succeeded at the expense of Woodlands. It was agreed that the next step is for DH to write as an individual to Alan Garvie, Head of Planning Policy, Woodhill House, on the basis that the housing allocation to Woodlands has moved from equitable to non-equitable distribution.

Objections can also be lodged on the basis of shape of development as well as in overall numbers.

Another area of concern is sustainability, for example the problem of increasing use of road transport required as children get older, and their need to commute to secondary schools.

It was pointed out that we are currently in the "zoning" stage, and that further objections can be lodged at the planning permission stage (it was accepted that there is little substantive alterations possible then however)

Park Quarry

CHAP have started exploiting Area A (East of Park Bridge Rd)

The dust survey work was discussed and it was agreed that the document is technically flawed and inaccurate. (e.g. sampling carried out on damp days, no extensive sampling periods to give statistical significance and so on). It was noted by the developers that "there have been few complaints about dust" – but there are reasons for this including de-population of the immediate area, and that the physiologically damaging dust is invisible.

JW reminded us that we should lodge all complaints in writing to the developed and the planning departments.

JG – Jill advised there is a potential safety problem with the trees surrounding the Drumoak War Memorial.

JW advised that JG should contact Albert Stiles (Outdoor Services) at Viewmount, to arrange a site visit and advise next steps

JHO – there has been good feedback re the recycling facility, but the ground condition needs improving

JHE agreed to find the details for the Chair of the Hall Committee to discuss

DH raised the point that some communities have moved away from centralised recycling facilities on the grounds they add to net pollution due to increased car journeys, rather people should take waste back to point of supply (eg supermarkets)

HT agreed to bring the Waste Management Plan to a future meeting for information. One of the reasons for provision of recycling facilities is to develop an improved culture/awareness of the issue within the population.

RS – Ron raised a question as to the current population numbers

JW agreed to provide these

JHE – Where are we now with the Deeside Way? It has taken 15 years to get this far, so why not now put pavements in. It was pointed out that some of the route problems have been overcome (by-passing Park Estate)

Giles Dearden (Natural Power) gave a short presentation including photo-montages and maps of the proposed wind farm at Midhill. This was based on material previously shown at public meetings. In summary:

• 25 turbines – note many of these will be visible from Nth Deeside Road
• forestry style tracks (no metalled roads)
• Turbines are 125m tip to tip, 85m hub height. There will be 5 smaller turbines in the most exposed position (100m/60m)
• 50MW installed power @ 690v, stepped up to 33Kv for transmission
• Some tree felling will be required – although many are due to be felled anyway
• NP reserve the right to fell further trees if undue turbulence effect on the blades
• All inter-connecting cables, and connection to grid (SW of Stonehaven) will be below ground
• Public response in questionnaire was 74% in favour, 13% against, 13% not sure.
• Wind, bird and ecological data going back to 1996
• No impact on migratory birds or raptors
• Nearest property 2.5Km – zero noise impact to that property.
• Application lodged February, 4 month planning process, legal agreements June – December, construction starts 2004 for 18mth period
• The site will generate equivalent power demand for 30,000 homes annually
• Scottish target is to provide 18% renewable power by 2010
• There is a Community Funding Policy, the details of which would be discussed following approval.