Rural industrial building at Land East Of Mains Of Tertowie, Kinellar, Blackburn

“The site is rectangular in shape measuring approximately 86m in width and 230m in length with its long side sitting parallel to an unclassified road which leads to the A96 road to the north at the Kinellar roundabout at Blackburn. The site is surrounded by agricultural land on a northeast to southwest downward slope and lies on significant lower ground compared to the adjacent road level.”

“The building is surrounded by a large area of hardstanding open yard with screening bunds to the northeast (15m from the building) and northwest (36m from the building). Forty parking spaces are proposed to the northwest and southwest of the existing building with an industrial standard access proposed at the existing direct vehicular access to the minor public road.”

“Conclusion 6.42 In conclusion, the Planning Service is satisfied that the proposal complies with relevant policies of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023 and NPF4, in that the principle of the development is acceptable, the layout, siting and design of the development would be in keeping with the character of the locality; the development would not have a significant negative impact on the surrounding area.”

“The proposal will make use of a previously redundant building, within which the previously approved land use as a poultry farm had ceased sometime ago. Its ongoing use, as proposed through this application, will retain a useful purpose for the building which is to be welcomed and will not risk the building becoming empty.”

“Representations 3.1 No valid letters of representation have been received. Consultations 4.1 Environment and Infrastructure Services (Contaminated Land) - has reviewed the information on the former use of this site and confirmed that there is no indication of any past use which might have caused contamination.”

“Members sought clarification regarding access to the building for the three premises, whether parking was on arable land, provision of welfare facilities for employees, what the portacabin visible on photos of the site was for and whether it had planning permission.”

“The Senior Planner confirmed that there was an opening for each part of the building being identified as a unit, that she was not aware of any welfare facilities within the building and that she was not aware of the portacabin on site having planning permission or being part of the current application. She pointed out that some of the concerns raised would be relevant to Building Standards rather than the planning process.”

“Members considered whether a site visit was necessary to better understand what was on site and how the buildings on site were related. However, they agreed that, as an alternative, they could defer to seek further information on a number of elements of concern.”