A businessman has lost his fight to keep a group of travellers on his land.
Aberdeenshire Council issued Kintore landowner Steve Matthews with an enforcement notice earlier this year, ordering him to remove the encampment from the site at Broomhill.
But Mr Matthews appealed to the Scottish Government, arguing that there is a proven need for travellers sites in the north-east.
Local residents and businesses were furious however, and claimed it had been a “nightmare” since the group pitched up last spring.
They said the group had used the private land surrounding the site as a toilet, and that there had been a few “near-misses” as the travellers were driving too fast on the private road leading to their homes and the camp.
The enforcement notice issued by the council alleged Mr Matthews had breached planning rules by turning the scrubland into a caravan park. Officers also said it had not been shown the site would not “appreciably detract” from the character of the area or the amenity of the local residents.
Mr Matthews – who is now based in West Lothian – “refuted” suggestions the camp would detract from the appearance of the area as it had been kept “particularly clean and remarkably free from litter” and was causing no nuisance to local residents.
But now a Scottish Government reporter has dismissed Mr Matthews appeal and upheld the council’s enforcement order – giving him six months to remove the encampment.
In her decision, Sinead Lynch said: “The appellant says that there is little or no nuisance caused by the caravans and associated vehicles, that the site is clean and free from little and that it appears to be well managed.
“The council and objectors have an opposing view, and consider that the site has caused hygiene and environmental problems due to the lack of facilities on the site such as mains waste and water, and also given rise to an increase in traffic and road safety issues.
“From my site visit, I note that while the site itself was clean and well kept, the lack of access to basic services such as mains water and waste facilities has results in an adverse amenity impact on the surrounding environment.”
She ruled that for the site to remain, Mr Matthews would have to go through the usual planning process.
Mr Matthews declined to comment last night.