Cllr Debra Storr - Ellon & District

Getting real public interest in Structure Plans is hard … but this is the policy document that drives the Local Plans that in turn determine planning policy. So if you have ever thought “Why did they build that there?“, you should be interested.

It is a draft at this stage - so now is a good time to respond with what you think is good, what bad and what else should be done.

It’s been a bit difficult to find where the draft document is published but I’ve found this copy on the web. Sorry it’s taken so long.

The plan consist of a Vision, a Spatial Strategy which involves Ellon as part of a major new growth pole running from Aberdeen to Peterhead, and six Objectives.

What is this?

You’ll hear more about it over the next few months but this is a Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Forum and Scottish Enterprise Grampian initiative to create a 30-mile “corridor” between Aberdeen and Peterhead to attract dynamic organisations that would stimulate synergies, innovation, research and development, and create a showcase for the energy industry.

There was a consultation with some “stakeholders” in Ellon at last Friday which I wasn’t able to attend (family funeral) but I saw a presentation of some of the outcomes today. It’s looking promising - building on our high quaity of life, wonderful environment, the amazing resource of Peterhead harbour and last but not least the talents of people here.

I look forward to seeing the report and if, what was presented today can be done, I’ll be playing my part to help it happen.  We could lead the way in sustainable industries and sustainable living and that is a prize worth going for.

A complaint about me conduct in regard to the Trump application was made and, while such investigation are supposed to be confidential, details of this were leaked by someone to the press last week and published in the Press and Journal on Saturday.

However on Saturday, I also received a letter and report from the Standards Commission, clearing me completely of any improper conduct. The Commission said that there is “no evidence of improper or prejudicial comment suggestive of bias” in my actions.

The initial basis of the complaint was information I published at www.ellonfocus.org.uk. As well as links to the application itself on Aberdeenshire Council website, I drew attention to a discussion forum and other information at two other websites written by local residents and to the Trump Organisation’s own website. The inventigation also covered my entire involvement with the Trump application from a private meeting with Trump representatives in December 2005 all through to me voting to refuse the application in November 2007 - very through.

The investigation report said ‘I have found no evidence of improper or prejudicial comment suggestive of bias’ and while noting that Debra Storr contributed actively to the debate in respect of the applciation that Debra Storr “posed relevant and pertinent questions” and said there was “no evidence of her expressing bias or prejudice towards the application”

I am glad this has been cleared up. I try to provide you with as much information on what is happenning as possible and use every channel available to me. Complaints to the Standards Commission seem now to be a hazard of being a councillor but thankfully relatively few are upheld. I strongly believe councillors have a duty to keep constituents informed and to provide channels to exchange information with constituents - hence this blog which is now open for comment.

Sorry, I’m a few days behind (ill for a few days and the funeral of my centurian aunt Sybil Wallcroft).

The Trump Inquiry is set to start on 10th June and is expected to last about three weeks. I can’t find the application on the Reporter’s Unit website but if you have a comment you wish to make please email DPEA@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
Cllrs Martin Ford, Paul Johnston, Alistair Ross and myself will all be appearing at the inquiry to explain why Aberdeenshire’s Infrastructure Services Committee reject the application and there are about 30 other people who have indicated they wish to speak (even if the Trump Organisationa re not happy about this!)
Some sessions will be held in the evening and any member fot he public can attend at any time. When I know the timetable, I’ll add this information to http://www.ellonfocus.org.uk/menie.html

Subject to the Reporter determining that no Environmental Impact Assessment is required, the hearings for this enquiry look set to be held from Tuesday 17th June.

The Reporter will accept representations made before then but obviously the earlier the better - and as he has all the material already submitted, then only new representations need be made.  Details of the appeal can be found at the Reporter’s site.

It seems to be the intention to do most of the Inquiry via Hearings rather than the rather more adversarial Inquiry process.

Most of the input looks lke being between the applicant, Paul Johnston & I on behalf of the Council and the No Quarry Action Group.  If anyone else wants to participate, they need contact the Reporter quickly.

It’s been a long day today … Infrastructure Services started at 10.15 and finally finished 36 items later at 4.30. A proposal for development at Blairs to restore the listed buildings and convert these to a hotel alongside a golf course and 280 houses (including 60 affordable) was passed. I think the press were ready to make comparsions with “the application” but this was closer to the Kingseat and Daviot arrangements True enabling development for listed buildings, resulting in economic development and a mixed ciommunity.

And then a visit to a constituent and home 6.30 to the mail heap!

The report into the Scottish Government’s call in of the Menie application makes interesting reading.

Of Alex Salmond the reports says

“The committee believes that, far from taking a precautionary approach, the first minister was cavalier in his actions and displayed, at best, exceptionally poor judgement and a worrying lack of awareness about the consequence of his actions,”

Of John Swwnney

“It is clear that the application was called in because of the decision to refuse. … It is the view of the Committee that the Cabinet Secretary acted inappropriately and potentially opened his decision to legal challenge.”

Full details are available at from the Scottish Parliament website and the summary from the BBC can be found at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7295072.stm

At long last John Swinney made the only decision he respectably could - there will be a public local inquiry for the Trump development at Menie. This looks like it is on an accerelated timetable - the pre-inquiry meeting is on 26th March and we will know the timetable then but it is expected to start in June. How long it lasts depends on those giving evidence ….

The Orrock Quarry Public Local Inquiry will all happen very soon. As the councillor who moved the refusal, I get the dubious honour of being the lead for the refusal case. There is a pre-inquiry meeting next week which will discuss the arrangements and timetable and I’ll let people know more then.