Saga of North Esk Travellers’ site to continue as fresh application is submitted

The saga of an illegal Courier Country Travellers’ site is rumbling on.

Those behind the major development near St Cyrus are seeking retrospective planning permission for the controversial site.

North Esk Park has become home to around 20 caravans, with roads and lighting surrounded by a 1.8 metre fence.

The site is adjacent to an internationally renowned nature reserve.

Two retrospective planning permission applications will be considered by the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee next week.

Both applications have been recommended for refusal by the council’s planning officers who have sited six reasons why they should not be permitted in each case.

These include concerns about flooding and foul water drainage as well as the fact the site is in a site of special scientific interest and outwith the settlement boundary in the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan.

Retrospective planning permission was previously submitted and then withdrawn, causing frustration among objectors.