The latest Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee meeting was held on Tuesday 20th January at Viewmount. The agenda and supporting reports are available here, along with the recordings of the public part of the meeting.
The reports presented and discussed were
· Land at Site Adjacent to Fetteresso Cemetery, Kirkton of Fetteresso
· K&M Area Committee Budget Applications 2025/26
Amendment to Previous Plan at Kirkton of Fetteresso
The first report relates to an application for 30 houses at Kirkton of Fetteresso, where previously there was permission for 25. The increase would be within the original footprint, and comprises fewer detached houses, replacing them with semi detached. This meets local need for more affordable housing, and the application was recommended for approval by the planning department.
Councillors raised some concerns about drainage and the significant slope of the site, but were reassured that all consultants were satisfied with the plans. The concern about road safety caused more discussion. Councillors highlighted that the pedestrian access and the position of the traffic island did not encourage pedestrians to cross using the island. The road department representative did not have information on why the island was positioned where it is, but suggested that line of sight on the corner may have been an issue. After the discussion the committee agreed unanimously to approve the application.
Local Group Funding Agreed
There were three applications considered for funding from the K&M Committee Area Budget.
· £3000.00 for K & M Youth Clubs as part funding for solar panels, inverter, and battery storage.
· £1898.28 for Stonehaven Town Partnership as part funding for tables and chairs for community use.
· £1123.47 for Auchenblae Primary School Parent Council as part funding for a mobile cooking trolley
Councillor Black, as chair of K&M Youth Clubs and Councillor Victor as a trustee, left the room while the first item was discussed. Councillors questioned whether the money would be spent by the end of the financial year and were reassured. They also discussed the overall plan for the building renovation, and the area manager explained that the group were making incremental improvements as funding was available, but they understood the challenges of an old building. The funding application was agreed.
The following two applications were also approved, with the specific comment that the tables and chairs for community use was an excellent use of the Area Budget.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10 February.