07 10 02

Crathes, Drumoak & Durris Community Council (CDDCC)

Minutes of Meeting

 

Tuesday 2 October 2007 - Irvine Arms, Drumoak from 19.30 hours

 

1.         Sederunt

 

Community Councillors: David Morrish (Chairman), Molly Atkinson (Vice Chairman), John Hopkins, Jenny Watson, Anne Ross, Caroline Cruickshank

Ward 16 Councillor:  Linda Clark

Apologies: Debbie Cameron, Keith Whitehead, Tony Butcher, Jean Downie, Peter Bellarby, Wendy Agnew, Graeme Clark, Jill Webster, Mike Sullivan, Karen Clark

Members of the Public: Kevin McDonald, Matthew McDonald

 

 

2.      Minutes of September 2007 Meeting

 

These were proposed by Jenny Watson and seconded by Molly Atkinson, and accepted as an accurate record.

 

 

3.      Proposed Used Car Sales business adjacent to Farm Shop site

 

Kevin and Matthew McDonald had requested the opportunity to present details of their proposal to create a Used Car Sales Business on the site immediately to the east of the Drumoak Farm Shop.  They displayed plans of the proposed development, giving a set of copies to CDDCC for reference.  No planning application had yet been made, although it was hoped that this would be done prior to the year-end.

 

The site would include a showroom, with childrens’ play area and snack bar, plus open parking/car display bays and a pond.  The existing Peterculter car sales site would also be retained.  Up to 50 jobs would be created at the new site.

 

The proposed used car sales site would appear to be a new commercial/industrial use, although it was noted that it would effectively be replacing an existing business use (albeit of different type and much smaller scale).

 

Jenny Watson said that, given the nature of the North Deeside Road at that point, the question of road access to the proposed business would be highly significant.  She advised Kevin McDonald to contact the Roads Department for their input, as soon as possible.

 

The existing Farm Shop premises and farmhouse/outbuildings would be demolished and a new house and stabling constructed on that site (although set back from the North Deeside Road) for the use of Kevin McDonald.  This would be the subject of a separate planning application.

 

 

 

4. Planning and Other Issues

 

4.1  Crathes Housing Development

 

David Morrish said that the estate was still negotiating with its preferred bidder, which remained anonymous.

 

Linda Clark noted that discussions were taking place about the creation of a car park at Crathes Primary School.

 

 

4.2  Crathes Speed Limit (A957, north of Durris Bridge) 

 

David Morrish reported that he had not yet received a copy of the police speed survey.  In the short term, he would circulate to CDDCC members the speed measurements received from Jim Craig (Action: David Morrish) 

 

 

4.3  Illuminated Speed Warning sign west of Drumoak

 

To on-pass to the appropriate Council official the letter asking that the sign be moved further to the west (Action: David Morrish)

 

 

4.4  Planning Application for Land NW of Deeview Gardens, Drumoak

 

Molly Atkinson noted that this seemed a sensible proposal.

 

 

4.5 Nursery at Mills of Drum

 

Molly Atkinson noted that there was a new planning application in respect of the Deeside Nurseries development at Mills of Drum.  It included proposed road improvement in respect of a right turn lane, together with a number of minor variations in respect of the buildings.  From discussion, it was not clear whether the issue of separate entrance and exit from the site had been addressed, nor indeed what was the actual status of planning permission.

 

It was agreed to ask for more time to send a detailed comment on the current proposal.  To send a “holding letter” to Aberdeenshire Council forthwith requesting this (Action: Molly Atkinson) and to draft a comment on behalf of CDDCC on the planning application as posted on the Council’s website (Action: Molly Atkinson)

 

 

4.6 Condition of Road Surface (Woodlands to Kirkton)

 

It was noted that part of the road was currently closed for resurfacing.  John Hopkins commented that a 3 week closure seemed a long time, given that only part of the road was being repaired.

 

 

4.7 Insurance Arrangements

 

John Hopkins reported that he had received a reply to CDDCC’s questions about insurance cover, incorporating a full copy of the insurance policy document.

 

 

4.8 Park Bridge Weight Limit

 

John Hopkins reported that he had received a reply from Iain Gabriel, which expressed the hope that authorisation for the revised limit might be sought by year-end.  Nothing had been said about when the signs would be changed.

 

 

 

4.9 Informal Roadside Signs

 

David Morrish had contacted Aberdeenshire Council in respect of this matter.  He would forward to CDDCC a copy of the weblink to the Council’s relevant policy/code of practice (Action: David Morrish)

 

 

5.                  DYP

 

David Morrish noted that he had very recently received a letter from Wendy Agnew, incorporating information from Iain Thompson (Aberdeen Council Landscape Services), which he would forward to Caroline Cruickshank (Action: David Morrish).  The letter was understood to refer inter alia to remediation of flooding, a possible move of the play area and the provision of basketball goals for the all-weather pitch.

 

Upon receipt of the letter, to provide the Council with DYP input (views, ideas etc.) and - if appropriate - to offer part-funding.  (Action: Caroline Cruickshank)

 

Graeme Clark had provided information about the Aberdeenshire “Landfill Cash for Aberdeenshire Communities”.  Although this did not seem particularly promising (not least because the Crow’s Nest site would lose its landfill status on 1 November and, as a result, such funds would no longer be available in its catchment area), the subsequent suggestion of a “funderfinder” session with K&D Voice seemed worth following up.  To contact Lindsay Allardyce to arrange this (Action: Caroline Cruickshank).

 

John Hopkins noted that the constraints on CDDCC’s action in this area were more to do with lack of Project Management effort and the absence of local enthusiasm than with lack of funds, as DYP still had £4,000+ in the bank.

 

To process the £100 donation cheque from CHAP via her own account or to ask for a new cheque made out to Drumoak Youth Project (Action: Caroline Cruickshank).

 

 

6.                  Park Quarry Liaison Group

 

To circulate to CDDCC the notes of the recent meeting (Action: David Morrish)

 

At the meeting, Alastair Craigie had asked what was CDDCC’s opinion of the Eco-Village proposal.  CDDCC’s view remained that, until the new Structure Plan was released and/or a planning application made, such comment would be premature.

 

Linda Clark advised that there was currently a three-month “hold” on action on the Structure Plan.

 

 

7. Access Issues

 

7.1 Nether Park

 

The gate at Nether Park (near the Myrebird junction) remained locked.  To raise this issue with the landowner’s agent (Action: Molly Atkinson)

 

 

7.2 Dalmaik Farm (7-strand barbed wire fence)

 

To progress this matter with Alasdair Fulwood (Action: Molly Atkinson)

 

 

7.3  Drumoak Glebe

 

It was noted that some medium-sized rocks had been used to block the gap whereby cars could access the Glebe outwith the opening hours of the metal gate.  To discuss reinforcing this further with George Wight (Action: Jenny Watson)

 

 

8.                  Membership of CDDCC

 

The co-options (subsequent to the September meeting) of Caroline Cruickshank and Debbie Cameron were noted.  The resignation of Keith Allen was noted with regret.

 

 

9. Cycle Ride

 

David Morrish reported that the Cycle Ride had been a considerable success (20 riders, compared with 5 last year on the initial run).

 

 

10. Arrangements for AGM

 

To book the Drumoak Church Hall for the AGM and December meeting, target date 4 December (1930 hours onwards) (Action: David Morrish).  To discuss the provision of wine and cheese with Jean Downie (Action: David Morrish).  To write to Deeside Piper in mid-November, with a request for a non-paid editorial mention of the forthcoming AGM (Action: David Morrish).  To publicise AGM via the website (Action: John Hopkins) 

 

 

11. Next Meeting

 

19.30 hours on 6th November at Irvine Arms

 

JFH 03/10/07

 

Distribution

Email

Post

by hand

other

CDDCC Councillors (excl. Jenny Watson)

Jenny Watson

Park Shop (via John Hopkins)

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

Cllrs. Linda Clark, Karen Clark, Jill Webster (Ward 16)

Crathes Hall Notice Board (via David Humble)

Drumoak Post Office (via John Hopkins)

 

Cllrs. Peter Bellarby, Graeme Clark, Mike Sullivan, Wendy Agnew (Ward 18)

Banchory Public Library

 

 

 

Mr W Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine & Mearns

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

 

 

Mr L Allen, Area Manager, Marr

Drumoak Public Hall Notice Board (via Ian Pirie)

 

 

Rev. Jim Scott, Durris Manse, Durris

Drumoak Church Hall Notice Board (via Morag Keith)

 

 

Durris Hall Notice Board (via Sheila Watt)

 

 

 

Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – Alister Bisset