A north-east harbour boss is facing opposition in his bid to transform Gardenstown into a holiday destination.
Michael Watt, the port’s harbour master, wants to let motor-homes and caravans set up camp near the village’s New Ground, which would convert the community into a getaway for holidaymakers.
However, Aberdeenshire Council is urging local councillors to refuse permission at tomorrow’s Banff and Buchan area committee.
Planners fear that the development of a holiday camp would damage the local area and pose a flooding risk to the coastal village.
New Ground is where Gardenstown’s recycling skip is based.
In January, as the north-east was battered by high winds and heavy rain, cliffs near the land slipped and the street was closed until boulders could be removed from the road.
Stephen Archer, the local authority’s director of infrastructure services, has now said that a caravan site would not be fitting for the area.
He added: “There is no locational justification for the proposed caravan site, and the proposal would be incompatible with the rest of the land uses in the vicinity.
“The proposal would have a significant negative impact on the local area and public road safety.”
Mr Archer claimed there was no evidence to suggest the proposal would not pose a flooding risk in the future.
The caravans would be based in an area that SEPA has branded as being at “one in 200 year” risk for flooding.
But Mantell Ritchie, the agent for the application, has said the proposed caravan park would avoid the worst of the winter storms by being closed from the end of October to April.
He has also suggested that the park would be cleared in the event of adverse forecasts.
The village’s three councillors – Hamish Partridge, Ross Cassie and Mark Findlater – specifically requested the planning application be brought to committee and its reasons for refusal discussed.
One public consultation in favour of refusal has been submitted to the council.
In his letter to planners, local man Andrew Sturdy claimed he had concerns about the ability of towing vehicles to make it up and down the hill-side village.
He added: “In my opinion, the village is not suitable for caravans.