A famous north-east peak has been denied protected status because it is not of “premier league” standard, council chiefs have said.
Councillors met to discuss whether to grant Mormond Hill, near Strichen, special landscape status which would prevent the landmark being overrun by housing or commercial developments.
But despite pleas from SNP councillors to listen to the wishes of local members, the committee voted to exclude the Buchan hill from a final list of 10 protected sites.
Robert Gray, Aberdeenshire Council’s planning chief, said including the landmark could “dilute” the protections offered to other areas.
“What we’re trying to do is say what landscapes are the best and deserve protection,” Mr Gray said. “It’s been hard to identify a top 10 – a Premier League. There are some really good ones in the First Division, the next 10.”
Mr Gray said that the simple test for whether vistas are worthy of inclusion is “whether you would photograph them on holiday”.
He said: “Mormond Hill keeps coming up – it’s very important cultural for the local area. Elvis Presley has family from the area and its been important for sailors and fishermen to keep them off the rocks.”
“But would you go there on holiday and take a picture?”
Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Argyle echoed the comments. He said: “I take Robert Gray’s point that adding something that doesn’t quite meet the criteria but is cultural dilutes the rest.”
But SNP member Rob Merson said: “Both the Buchan and Banff and Buchan area committees have strongly identified that it should be a site. It’s not just about the culture, I think in terms of the White Stag and the White Horse there’s a strength of feeling.”
And councillor David Aitchison, chairman of the infrastructure committee, added: “I hadn’t thought of Mormond Hill – despite driving past it – until this paper. But I think we should be cognisant of the area committees views. That is why we put it out for comment.”
Councillors voted against including Mormond Hill on the final list of protected landscapes by eight votes to four.
Landscapes which were granted special status include the Deveron Valley and Bennachie.
