Government accused of washing its hands over St Cyrus Travellers’ site.

The Scottish Government has been accused of washing its hands of the enforcement saga at a Travellers’ site in St Cyrus.

The planning battle has been going on since homes appeared on farmland near the River North Esk in 2013.

The Travellers have been given until January 31 next year to clear the site after Scottish ministers overturned retrospective planning permission, following an investigation by Scottish Government reporter Rob Huntley.

It has now emerged Aberdeenshire Council is expecting a fresh planning application to be lodged ahead of the eviction date, to let the Travellers stay.

Residents living close to the site say they remain unconvinced the council would be fully committed to a forced eviction in any case.

They have raised the matter with Scottish ministers but were told it is “for the relevant authority to consider what further action to take”.

One resident, who declined to be named, said: “Why on earth did we go through the whole process?

“Surely the recommendations made by Mr Huntley should be respected?

“If his views are to be ignored it just means it was another timewasting exercise.

“This is a site they should be preparing for leaving, rather than expanding their footprint.

“We have realised for quite some time a forceful eviction is the only way forward. This is not easily achieved and needs Aberdeenshire Council to be fully committed to this action. Therein lies a problem.”

The issue reared its head last month when the council was granted an interim interdict after further unauthorised work started on the site to prepare for the arrival of more mobile homes.

North East Scotland Conservative MSP Liam Kerr said: “It is disappointing the SNP ministers have washed their hands of a very sensitive situation which they have influenced before.

“The council’s hands are tied to some extent by the law. The residents of St Cyrus have been very patient because they know that.”

An Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman said: “We received information that further development may have taken place on the site at the North Esk end and are investigating.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government and the Scottish ministers have no remit to intervene in such decisions by the planning authority. Planning enforcement is the responsibility of the relevant planning authority.”