Councillors have dismissed fears that a new council depot could contaminate the water supply in a north-east town.
The Banff and Buchan area committee met yesterday to discuss proposals for a new depot site at Tarlair Business Park in Macduff, where they were told that concerns had been raised about the site’s underground water supply.
Despite these anxieties, and after senior planners emphasised that any risk would be “minimised”, councillors voted seven votes to two to approve the scheme.
It was the first major planning decision facing the group since the local government elections earlier this month.
The committee had been told that drinks firm Cotts Beverages had opposed the depot being created for fear it would affect the water supply it relies on to make its Macb range of products.
The depot will be used to store materials, including gritting salt as well as vehicles and equipment used by the council’s roads, waste and property teams which could seep into the ground.
Committee members Brian Topping and Charles Buchan had wanted to visit the site to assess the risks for themselves, but were defeated by the vote.
A spokesman for the planning service argued it had taken the risks associated with the depot into account “thoroughly” before recommending the project for approval.
Local councillor Mark Findlater described the depot – which could result in as many as 100 council jobs moving to the port – as being “great for Macduff”.
He added: “This is a much needed and state of the art, purpose-built building.
Ross Cassie added: “I see no reason why this development should not go ahead.”
Mr Topping told the committee he had “genuine concerns” about the development.
The SNP councillor was previously the group’s vice chairman before the meeting.
He was replaced by Fraserburgh’s newlyelected Conservative Andy Kille in the role.
Banff’s Michael Roy, also a Conservative, was elected to the position of chairman after being nominated by John Cox.
