A group of travellers has been granted permission to set up camp on the outskirts of Peterhead – despite the council’s efforts to block the plans.
Thomas Collins and his family bought the land at Springhill, Boddam after becoming fed up waiting for an alternative site in the region.
They created a private four-pitch stopover site, and then a retrospective planning application.
But the proposals were rejected by Aberdeenshire Council on the grounds it was “damaging” to the local area, and officers issued the family with an eviction notice just days before Christmas.
Mr Collins appealed to the Scottish Government, which has now overturned the decision – allowing the family to use the site for three years.
Last night, planning agent Alan Seath – speaking on behalf of the Collins – said they had been disappointed when the council took action to remove them from the land.
“There is always uncertainty for any travelling group, whether or not they are on an authorised or unauthorised site – including the stress and pressures that go with that,” Mr Seath said.
“It was no different here for the Collins family.
“But we have always tried to seek the best outcome possible for them, and it’s been a good result for them in this case.”
There is a well-documented shortage of traveller sites in Aberdeenshire, with the local authority currently considering proposals for Aikey Brae, a disused quarry near Old Deer.
Another group of travellers also got so fed up waiting for a permanent solution that they clubbed together to buy land at St Cyrus in 2013, prompting a major planning battle which is still ongoing.
Since the government’s decision was issued, a number of caravans have already taken up residence at Springhill.
Mr Seath said the family was aware they would have to comply with the planning conditions attached to the application, adding: “Just because you have planning permission doesn’t mean there won’t be other problems.
“It has to be managed through the conditions attached and we are in talks with the council about how we go about that. We will have a letter to them this week for the start of this process.”
Reporter Claire Milne considered the appeal, and also quashed the eviction notices as the local authority had not delivered them to every interested party at Springhill, including neighbours – rendering them void.
Allan Hendry, chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s gypsy-traveller sub-committee, previously supported the Collins family’s efforts to develop the land.
Last night, he said he was “keen” to see similar sites open up.
“Providing they behave themselves and the place is kept tidy, I don’t imagine anyone will have a problem with that,” he added.
“This will be a private site that the owners will be able to use to let whoever they want in. I would suggest, however, that it will likely be family and friends.
“But that will take the pressure off other travellers, in as much as we won’t have as many unauthorised encampments.
“If they can get land and they want to put in a planning application to get a caravan site for their family or friends, then I’m all for it. I can live with that.”
However, Stuart Pratt, the chairman of the Buchan area committee which suggested to full council that the scheme be scrapped, said he was disappointed with the result.
He said: “Clearly, I’m disappointed, but if there are problems these will be taken into consideration when the temporary permission runs out.
“The council was fairly strong in its refusal and we’ll just have to now hope that things go well.”
Neighbours had lodged objections to the camp over concerns that the road would not be able to service the travellers’ vehicles and the noise the family would generate. None of them were available to comment last night.
