07 04 03

Crathes, Drumoak & Durris Community Council (CDDCC)

Minutes of Meeting

 

Tuesday 3 April 2007 - Irvine Arms, Drumoak from 19.30 hours

 

1.         Sederunt

 

Community Councillors: David Morrish (Chairman), Jean Downie, Tony Butcher, Molly Atkinson, John Hopkins

Ward Councillors: Jenny Watson

Members of Public: Mark Ansell, Mark Allen, Gail Whitehead, Debbie Cameron, Caroline Cruickshank

Police Representative:  Jenny McHattie

Apologies: Sandy Wallace, Lorna Heppolette, Keith Whitehead, Ann Ross

 

 

2.         Police Matters

 

Police Officer Jenny McHattie reported that there had been just two local reported crimes in the current period - vandalism at Drumoak and a car break-in at Durris.

 

Jenny Watson noted that she had requested, from Marr Area, hazard signage on the A93 road bends west of Crathes Hall.  It was agreed that CDDCC should write to Mark Skilling (copy to Andy Duff) supporting this request (Action: David Morrish)

 

David Morrish noted that traffic speeds - especially of motorcycles - were rising again on the road north of Durris Bridge.

 

John Hopkins noted instances of small unlicensed motorcycles being ridden - on the Deeside Way near Milton of Crathes and at Drumoak Glebe and for short distances across interconnecting public roads - by riders who appeared to be under 16.  Molly Atkinson mentioned a similar problem at Peterculter.  It was agreed that, whilst this was acceptable on private land with the landowner’s permission, it was illegal - on several counts - both on the roads and on the Deeside Way.  To note this report (Action: Jenny McHattie)

 

Debbie Cameron noted that - with the arrival of good weather - problems at the rear of Keithmuir Gardens and in Keithmuir Park had re-emerged.  These included playing football against rear fences, trespassing and damage to fences.  Attempts to remonstrate had sometimes resulted in abuse.  She had felt intimidated and unable to enjoy her garden.  Jenny McHattie advised that the police should be phoned whenever such problems occurred.  To flag this area for “Passing Attention” on the police computer system (Action: Jenny McHattie)

 

To email draft minutes to Debbie Cameron and Caroline Cruickshank (Action: John Hopkins) (DONE)

 

 

3.                  Minutes of March 2007 Meeting

 

 Proposed:  David Morrish                    Seconded:  Tony Butcher

 

 

4.         Drumoak Youth Project

 

David Morrish noted that all the DYP paperwork had been transferred by Don Keith to Debbie Cameron and Caroline Cruickshank, who would now take on responsibility for driving the project forward, supported by CDDCC as required (Action: Debbie Cameron and Caroline Cruickshank).

 

John Hopkins provided a copy of up-to-date DYP accounts.  He also proposed that - for a number of practical reasons - CDDCC continue to act as fundholder.  This was agreed.  (Action: John Hopkins) (ONGOING)

 

To determine the wishes of local residents for the future direction of DYP, Debbie Cameron and Caroline Cruickshank had devised a questionnaire, to be included in the forthcoming Newsletter (expected publication date mid-June).  This would be circulated to CDDCC by David Morrish for comments by 13 April (Action: David Morrish) (DONE).

 

Caroline Cruickshank and Debbie Cameron noted that they had investigated the issue of fencing the part of Keithmuir Park adjacent to domestic properties, in order to reduce vandalism.  It was felt by them and their neighbours that this should be provided by Aberdeenshire Council, on the grounds that the problem would be only minor or non-existent, were it not for the existence of the park.  CDDCC agreed with this view.  To write to Willie Munro requesting that this be done (Action: David Morrish).

 

 

5.                  Planning Issues

 

5.1              Crathes Housing

 

Consideration of the current planning application had apparently not yet been scheduled for the Marr Area Committee.

 

David Morrish reported that he had raised with Christine Gore the “chicken and egg” question of road speed limits adjacent to proposed housing developments - with particular reference to Crathes.  She noted that the mechanisms did not currently exist within Aberdeenshire Council to permit this sort of “integrated” approach, but that she was keen to see it encouraged.  To continue to press this issue with the Planning and Roads sections of Aberdeenshire Council (Action: David Morrish)

 

To register with Les Allen (Area Manager, Marr) CDDCC’s desire to address the Marr Area Committee when the Crathes Housing Planning Application was considered. (Action: David Morrish)

 

5.2              Warehouse and Office to East of Durrisdeer

 

The recent application for a warehouse and office to the east of Durrisdeer (on the road from the top of Stable Brae towards Denside) was discussed.

 

Mark Ansell recounted the information that he had been able to glean about the background to this application.  He also undertook to provide CDDCC with a copy of his letter of objection (Action: Mark Ansell)

 

CDDCC agreed by a majority that such an industrial/commercial development was entirely inappropriate for the rural area.  The existing wilful dereliction of the site was no excuse for authorising such a development.  There would also be problems with drainage and HGV and other traffic.  Such developments should be located in established industrial/commercial zones or at industrial estates, such as those at Spurryhillock and elsewhere.  To draft and circulate to CDDCC a suitable letter of objection (Action: John Hopkins)

 

To ask Councillor Wallace his view of this application (Action: John Hopkins) (DONE)

 

5.3              Drumoak School

 

Jenny Watson reported that the new Director of Education (Bruce Robertson) would be visiting Drumoak School and meeting the School Board, who would have the opportunity to press the case for replacement school buildings.  She credited the work done by Don Keith for helping to bring this about.

 

It was also noted that the mains sewerage connection for the school (to be provided by Stewart Milne, as part of the “planning gain”) was unlikely to be in place for some time yet.  This might have something to do with the long delay on the part of Scottish Water in expanding the sewage treatment plant at Drumoak.

 

5.4              Woodlands of Durris Housing

 

The Development Brief for the Woodlands Housing development was considered by CDDCC to be a modest improvement on the rather-inadequate Brief for Crathes Housing.

 

The well-attended Public Meeting held at Durris School shared the concerns of the organisers (Durris School Board plus others).  This action group would be sending a letter of objection to Aberdeenshire Council.  To circulate that letter to CDDCC (Action: David Morrish).

 

The action group had not asked for further assistance from CDDCC, who would now adopt a watching brief.

 

It was believed that SEPA might have “no option other than to object” to the application, on the grounds of inadequacy of sewerage/drainage.

 

5.5              Drumoak Nursery

 

A further Planning Application had been submitted in respect of the Drumoak Nursery (or Garden Centre, as it should now correctly be described).  Given that the main contentious issues had already all been conceded by K&M Area Committee - against the recommendation of their Planners and notwithstanding an objection by CDDCC - it was felt that no purpose would be served by objecting to this latest piece of “salami-slicing”.

 

5.6       Proposed House at Currackstane

 

A revised planning application had been submitted, relocating the proposed house away from adjacent properties.  The applicant had indicated that he would have no objection to the house being linked to the farmland via a section 75 agreement.  In the light of these changes, CDDCC proposed no further comment on the application.

 

6.         Correspondence

 

CDDCC recorded a vote for the Community Council member of the Aberdeen Community Planning Executive.

 

To attend the City & Shire Structure Plan meeting in Banchory on 19 April (Action: David Morrish)

 

Following on from a discussion of the labyrinthine complexities and prodigious volume of the planning and other Council-operated “consultations”, David Morrish proposed that Community Councils should require of their (new) Ward Councillors that they provide guidance as to what is important in these areas and what is not.

 

To renew, for 2007, CDDCC’s membership of the Association of Scottish Community Councils (Action: John Hopkins) (NOT DONE, as Aberdeenshire Council pays for corporate membership on behalf of all CCs in Aberdeenshire).

 

To circulate to CDDCC correspondence relating to “Community Engagement and Planning” and the new PAN 81 (Action: David Morrish)

 

 

7.         Access Issues

 

7.1       Core Paths Plan

 

Molly Atkinson reported that she had seen the most recent draft of the Core Paths Plan (for Aberdeenshire as a whole).  Paths in the CDDCC area shown in green (indicating “in use”) included the Deeside Way, the (Drumoak) Glebe Path and one other.  No red or amber status paths were shown.  There would be at least one further round of consultation (April to Jun 2007) on the Plan.

 

7.2       Dalmaik Farm

 

Molly Atkinson reported that she had emailed Alastair Fulwood to attempt to get some action on the proposed stile across the 7-strand barbed wire fence.  To email again (Action: Molly Atkinson)

 

7.3              Infringement of Public Access

 

Molly Atkinson reported that Colin Miller had devised a form to report infringements of rights of public access under the Land Reform Act.  She advised that it would be appropriate to contact the landowner prior to submitting such a form, since otherwise the form would simply be returned with the suggestion that this be done.

 

7.4              West Park (previously minuted as “Myrebird”)

 

To contact Ian Stewart, Park Farm Manager, of Mains Farmhouse about the barbed wire obstruction at the Park Estate at West Park.  (Action: Molly Atkinson)

 

 

8.         Park Quarry Liaison Meeting

 

No further meetings had been apparently held nor any action taken by the Council representative in respect of provision of information or action on complaints.  To draft a letter noting CDDCC’s concern (Action: John Hopkins)

 

 

9.         Future of Street and other Public Lighting

 

To draft and circulate a reply to Mr I Gabriel’s response on the Future of Street and other Public Lighting.  (Action: John Hopkins)

 

 

10. Deeside Way west of Milton of Crathes

 

To speak to RDRPS about the rough surface of the Deeside Way west of Milton of Crathes and to determine responsibility (Action: John Hopkins)

 

 

11.       Bike Ride (26 May)

 

To provide a map of the route(s) of the Bike Ride (Action: David Morrish).  To place this on the website (Action: John Hopkins).  To inform the Deeside Piper, nearer the date (Action: David Morrish).  It was noted that the publication date for the next Newsletter was after 26 May.

 

 

12. Correspondence in Absence of Secretary

 

Arrangements would be made for John Hopkins to uplift CDDCC’s post, during the absence of the Secretary (Action: Jean Downie)

 

 

13. Co-Option

 

With his agreement, Mark Allen was co-opted as a Community Councillor, representing Drumoak.

 

 

14. Next Meeting

 

19.30 hours on 1st May at Irvine Arms

 

JFH 04/04/07

 

Distribution

Email

Post

by hand

other

CDDCC Councillors

 

Councillor Jenny Watson

Durris Hall Notice Board (via Sarah Hopkins)

Website www.durris.net (also for previous minutes)

Councillor Sandy Wallace

Crathes Hall Notice Board (via David Humble)

Drumoak Post Office (via John Hopkins)

Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – representative not known

Mr W Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine & Mearns

Banchory Public Library

 

Park Shop (via John Hopkins)

 

Mr L Allen, Area Manager, Marr

Community Police Officer (Drumoak/Durris/Crathes), c/o Banchory Police Office

 

 

Rev. Jim Scott, Durris Manse, Durris

Drumoak Public Hall Notice Board (via Ian Pirie)

 

 

David O’Donnell (Woodlands)

Drumoak Church Hall Notice Board (via Morag Keith)

 

 

Caroline Cruickshank, Drumoak

 

 

 

Debbie Cameron, Drumoak