An outdoor adventure centre in Aberdeenshire has received council permission to use loudspeakers to play music at events, despite concerns from the local community they could be used to loudly play Abba.
Planning permission was granted in 2008 to construct buildings, car parking facilities and more at Knockburn Loch, which has for the last decade been a popular destination for kayaking, corporate events, cycling and more.
Attached to the permission was a condition restricting the use of loudspeakers, tannoys, and similar technology.
The loch is, however, the site of numerous sport events, fun days and more throughout the year, including the Cyclocross in February – and the upcoming Banchory Beast Race.
And yesterday, Aberdeenshire’s Marr Area Committee approved an application to allow the use of sound amplification for events on 12 days per calendar year, between the house of 8am and 6pm, including music.
Originally, the applicants sought permission for 15 days of loudspeaker use at events, but councillors instead agreed on the reduced number of 12 have heard of a lesser number of events in recent years.
The application attracted five objections, including one from Feughdee West Community Council.
One resident raising concerns in a letter said that it would be “totally inappropriate” to have “loud music blaring out at all times”.
The resident added: “I am fully supportive of the great sporting events that go on at Knockburn, but I disagree strongly that they have to be accompanied by Mama Mia at all hours of the day.”
