Quarry approved despite community objections

Plans for a 30-acre (21ha) quarry near Huntly have been approved by councillors after a narrow vote.

Aberdeenshire Council received 45 letters of objection to the proposals to extract about 650,000 tonnes of gravel and sand at Craig Farm over the next 22 years.

The site's operator, Leiths (Scotland), will use the material to make asphalt for road surfacing and ready mixed concrete.

Opponent Andrew Foreman, who owns nearby historic Craig Castle, claimed the quarry would have a detrimental effect on the environment.

Planning officials had recommended councillors grant permission.

They said the quarry was "appropriately sited and designed", and would not harm the surrounding landscape or listed buildings.

The planners also said the facility would not affect air quality, create unacceptable noise or create road safety issues.

Leiths estimates there would be an average of 11 HGV trips along the B9002 road during the week with a further three on Saturdays.

Land would be restored after each phase was completed.

The application went before the local authority's Marr area committee on Tuesday following a site visit by its members last week.

Leiths planning manager Colin Ortlepp told councillors there would be "fairly limited operations" at the quarry.

Huntly councillor Gwyneth Petrie described it as a "really difficult" planning application, but she asked the committee to approve it.

She said: "I absolutely get the concerns of residents who have raised those to us during this process.

"Having been on the site, listened to planners and seen the recommendations that have to be implemented before the work can commence, I'm assured we can grant this one."

But councillor Yi-Pei Chou Turvey wanted the plan to be refused.

She was concerned narrow local roads would not be able to cope with large quarry trucks, and raised concerns about potential risks to nature and water sources in the area.

The quarry was approved by six votes to three.

Following the meeting, Craig Castle's owner Mr Foreman said: "The protection of Craig Castle, its ancient woodland and nearby heritage sites is not just about preserving the past.

"It's about securing a healthier, sustainable future for our communities and the environment."

Another local resident, Victoria, said she was "absolutely devastated" by the decision.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Kirstie Topp.