Hearing to decide on unauthorised site for Travellers at St Cyrus

The fate of an unauthorised Travellers’ site at St Cyrus is to be decided at a hearing scheduled to be held next month.

Government-appointed reporter Michael Shiel has asked the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), Aberdeenshire Council and North Esk Park planning agent Alan Seath to attend the hearing at a local venue on April 29.

In January, Mr Shiel carried out a site inspection at North Esk Park at St Cyrus, which 10 families have called home since 2013. He has now decided that a hearing should be held on certain matters to help him consider the application.

Mr Sheil is also seeking further written submissions on specific matters from Aberdeenshire Council and Sepa.

Matters to be considered at the hearing will include the impact of flooding in terms of the risk to property and life, as well as the potential effect of flooding from the small watercourse along the boundary of the halting site.

The agenda also includes the proposed foul drainage provision and the water supply for the development, including any impact from flooding.

The applicants have provided a flood risk and drainage assessment, as well as a community resilience plan (CRP) prepared by the Scottish Flood Forum.

North Esk Park planning agent Alan Seath said: “We’re very pleased a hearing will take place. We always wanted to get to this stage.

“It’s our last chance and we want to have the best chance. We now have to wait and see what the outcome is.”

The hearing may be broadcast live on the internet and will be open to members of the public who wish to attend but not to participate.

Residents told Mr Shiel in January that their lives would be destroyed if they were evicted and they would be forced back on the road to live in a layby.

The North Esk Park site has substantially expanded since the first temporary homes appeared without prior authorisation in September 2013.