Councillors have been asked to extend the deadline for the closure of an illegal travellers site at St Cyrus to avoid any “direct action” by the authority.
Following the Scottish Government’s decision to deny permission for the unauthorised site at North Esk, residents had until the end of July to move on.
However, councillors will decide next week if a six-month extension can be granted to allow time for a “suitable alternative” site or a new planning application to be submitted.
Ministers refuse planning permission for St Cyrus Travellers’ site
Reporting to Aberdeenshire Council, Kincardine and Mearns area manager Willie Munro confirmed they had been in “dialogue” with the residents.
He said: “The main focus has been on trying to find a solution that would negate the need for direct action by this council.
“It would, of course, be preferable to deal with this issue through an alternative solution and by agreement.”
The travellers appeared on farmland close to the River North Esk in 2013, triggering opposition from residents and sparking a lengthy planning battle.
After refusing permission and instigating enforcement, Aberdeenshire councillors voted overwhelmingly to grant permission for the creation of an official halting and touring site in April 2016.
However, the application was called in when Sepa objected after confirming the site had flooded in 2002, 2012, 2013 and in the aftermath of Storm Frank in 2015, when residents had to leave their caravans.
Scottish Ministers eventually overturned the retrospective planning permission following an investigation by a Scottish Government-appointed reporter and the travellers were given until July, 31 2018 to leave.
A decision on whewther to grant a six-month extension until January, 2019 will be made at full council on Thursday.