Councillors have been accused of prioritising “minor” economic benefit over road safety by supporting plans for a new holiday park.
The allegation was made by a community group angered by Aberdeenshire Council’s decision to back a development near Turriff.
Members of the infrastructure services committee did so despite concerns from planners and roads experts that the increased traffic could result in accidents.
The Silverstripe development, at Forglen, consists of five yurts, a reception building, toilets and space for camping and its developers hope it will boost tourism.
A report prepared by planners had, however, urged the committee to reject the proposals because the private road used to access it was “insufficient” to accommodate increased traffic.
While the developer had promised to build four passing places to make the road safer, the council’s planning officers said this might prove difficult as two of the locations were owned by other people who would have to give their permission.
The council’s planning department also argued the site would be too “isolated” from other towns and villages and so did not meet the criteria for a tourism development.
But the report also said there would be potential economic benefits for the local area.
Jim Bayne, secretary of Alva and Forglen Community Council, spoke at the meeting and said it would be “morally reprehensible” for the committee to approve the plan in light of the road safety issues.
However, architect Bob MacGregor, speaking on behalf of the developers Marianne Shand and Robbie Kelman, said the passing places proposed were up to the standard legally required and the traffic would not be coming and going from the development in a short space of time.
Mr MacGregor also pointed out that the site was 450 metres from Bogton, which was defined as a settlement.
Following a lengthy debate, Banff and District councillor John Cox backed the plans.
He said: “There’s a lot of positive comments from the planning service to support such a development.
“The main issue is do we support the application which will address the road safety issues or reject and leave it as is.”
Mr Cox put forward a motion in support of the plans and it was passed by two votes.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Bayne said he was disappointed with the decision.
“They have traded-off safety in an area that has more than its fair share of accidents for an unquantified, minor economic benefit.
“Five yurts are not going to bring economic benefit to Bogton.”
A spokeswoman for the developers said: “Considering Aberdeenshire and the Banff and Buchan area currently has a lack of tourist accommodation this small scale development will bring much needed accommodation to the area.
“The applicant also hopes to offer accommodation to those seeking equine therapy at the applicants premises.”
