Four holiday units at Site To The South East Of Borrohill, Strichen

What was proposed

The application proposed four single-storey timber lodges for tourism accommodation, with decking, hot tubs, parking, private drainage and associated works.

“This application seeks full planning permission for the erection of four holiday units and associated works to a site to the south east of Borrohill Strichen Aberdeenshire.”

“It is proposed to clear the woodland within the application site, retaining some trees at the perimeter, and erect four single storey lodges which as outlined in the application are proposed to be for tourism accommodation. Each unit measuring approximately 9.8 metres in length, 6.5 metres in width and 5.0 metres to ridge height, has an area of decking and outdoor hot tubs associated with each one.”

Officer report

The site

The 0.40-hectare site lies in a woodland corner near Borrohill, about one kilometre west of Strichen, within the Accessible Rural Area.

“The site, measuring 0.40 hectares, lies within the corner of an area of woodland located at the access to Borrohill from the public road running from Newmill to Grassie Hill, approximately one kilometre west of Strichen. The woodland is listed within the Forestry Commission National Inventory, and the application site also lies within the Accessible Rural Area.”

“The woodland is bound by a post and wire fence. To the north-west and south-east is the surrounding wider area of woodland, to the north-east is the access road for Borrohill, and to the south-east is the public road.”

Officer report

Earlier permission

A previous permission for four holiday units was granted in 2022 but lapsed on 13 June 2025, leaving no fallback permission.

“APP/2021/2562 Erection of 4 Holiday Units Granted 14 June 2022 This planning permission lapsed on 13 June 2025”

Officer report

Why officers advised refusal

Officers considered that woodland loss, landscape harm, car dependence, climate impacts and limited tourism benefits conflicted with national and local policies.

“When assessed against the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan and NPF4, the proposed development is on greenfield land and would involve the permanent removal of an area of woodland and irrevocably would fragment the wider woodland block contrary to NPF4 Policy 6 Forestry, woodland and trees, and Policy 14 Design, quality and place, and ALDP Policy PR1 Protecting Important Resources, E3 Forestry and Woodland.”

“Due to the loss of woodland on the site, and its location resulting in relying heavily on private car, the application does not minimise whole‑life carbon or support climate adaptation and as such is in conflict with the aims of NPF4 Policy 1 Tackling the climate and nature crises and Policy 2 Climate mitigation and adaptation.”

Officer report

Public representations

No valid public representations were received.

“No valid representations have been received.”

Officer report

What the agent said

The agent said the site was well connected to Strichen, the business was viable, the scheme would support tourism and jobs, and tree loss would be compensated.

What members considered

Members considered the lodges’ design, business plan, compensated woodland loss, connections to Strichen, economic activity and the importance of rural development.

“(b) the applicant has a suitable business plan in place…”

“(c) the woodland loss is compensated and can be dealt with in a legal agreement…”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee unanimously agreed to delegate authority to grant full planning permission, subject to a legal agreement and planning conditions.

“Following a discussion, the Committee unanimously agreed:-”

“(1) that authority to Grant Full Planning Permission be delegated to the Head of Planning and Economy, subject to –”

Minutes

Approval requirements

Approval was subject to a legal agreement securing compensatory tree planting, a condition providing bicycles on site and other relevant planning conditions.

“(a) the requirement for a legal agreement to secure the identified compensatory tree planting, and…”

“(b) a condition securing provision of bicycles on-site, and other relevant planning conditions, and…”

Minutes