I spent today at a planning seminar with about a dozen colleagues. Very interesting to get a perspective on some issues from outside the area and to discuss things with a group of fellow councillors I don’t often meet.

There was an amazing degree of concensus on the case study and lots of good ideas for the next local plan. And some things will make discussing the Draft Structure Plan next week very interesting.

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.

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

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.