What you told us - What we're doing

What you told us

Aberdeenshire Council invited feedback from the local community to help select their preferred design for a replacement Toddler Multi-Play Unit and Swings, funded by the Scottish Government. Three design options were presented, with the design shown below receiving the most support, with almost 54% of the public vote.

What we’re doing

Aberdeenshire Council’s Landscape Services have now ordered the new play equipment, which will be installed over the coming months. Thank you again to everyone who took part and shared their views - your input has played an important role in shaping this play park for the community.

What you told us

Aberdeenshire Council invited feedback from the local community to help select their preferred design for a replacement Junior Multi-Play Unit and Adventure Trail, funded by the Scottish Government. Three design options were presented, with the design shown below receiving the most support, with 50% of the public vote.

What we’re doing

Aberdeenshire Council’s Landscape Services have now placed orders for the new play equipment, which will be installed over the coming months. Thank you again to everyone who took part and shared their views - your input has played an important role in shaping this play park for the community.

What you told us

To inform preparation of the next Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan, Aberdeenshire Council launched a Call for Ideas in July 2025.The Call for Ideas formed two separate parts:

Call for Sites

Prospective developers were invited to submit development proposals for the period 2029-2039. The Call for Sites closed on 31st October 2025 with 374 valid bids received.

Call for Ideas

Provided an opportunity for communities, stakeholders and partners to share their ideas. The Call for Ideas consultation, originally due to close in December 2026, was extended to 16 March 2026 with approximately 380 submissions received.

What we’re doing

Call for Sites

A spatial map was prepared to illustrate the boundaries of the 374 development proposals received during the consultation. Officers are currently assessing these proposals with a view to seek further comment from internal departments and Key Agencies in June/July 2026. Concurrent engagement with Community Councils will also take place.

Call for Ideas

The Policy Team will commence assessment of the 380 ideas received shortly. The spatial map will be updated to reflect ideas where possible.

Call for Sites and Ideas

Officers will hold sessions with Elected Members in November 2026 to seek consensus as to the ‘preferred options’ arising from analysis of development proposals and ideas with a view to commence drafting of the Proposed Local Development Plan thereafter. We will hold a public consultation on the Proposed Local Development Plan in Winter 2027.

What you told us

We carried out a public survey between March and April 2026 to gather views on what people would like to see delivered in Fraserburgh town centre through the BIG Ideas Fund. The survey asked for local views on priorities for the town centre, including ideas for how vacant units could be used, the types of activities or businesses people would like to see, and how the fund could help make the town centre more vibrant and attractive. You can read a full summary of what people told us in the Fraserburgh BIG Ideas Public Engagement Results:

• Fraserburgh BIG Ideas Public Engagement Results | Fraserburgh BIG Ideas Fund | Engage Aberdeenshire
• Fraserburgh BIG Ideas Public Engagement Results | Fraserburgh BIG Ideas Fund | Engage Aberdeenshire

What we’re doing

Your feedback has been used to shape the design of the Fraserburgh BIG Ideas Fund. The survey results have directly informed the grant criteria and the supporting information available to applicants, helping ensure the fund reflects local priorities and ideas. The fund is now open for applications, supporting individuals, businesses and community groups to bring vacant town centre properties back into use and deliver new ideas for Fraserburgh.

If you’re interested in applying, you can find the application form, guidance and further information on this page: Fraserburgh BIG Ideas Fund | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

Aberdeenshire Council invited feedback from the local community to help choose their preferred design for a new teen shelter at Lumphanan Recreation Park. Three design options were put forward, with the design below receiving the most support, with 37% of the votes.

What we're doing

Aberdeenshire Council’s Landscape Services have now placed orders for the new play equipment, which will be installed over the coming months. Thank you again to everyone who took part and shared their views - your input has helped shape the new play park for the community.

You can view the original page here: Lumphanan Recreation Park | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

Aberdeenshire Council invited residents to help choose their preferred design for new swings and a trim trail at Bellfield Park in Banchory. The existing equipment had become outdated and needed replacing. Submissions from three suppliers were put forward with the winning design below receiving 48% of the vote.

What we're doing

Aberdeenshire Council’s Landscape Services have now placed orders for the new play equipment, which will be installed over the coming months. Thank you again to everyone who took part and shared their views - your input has helped shape the new play park for the community.

You can view the original page here: Bellfield Play Area, Banchory | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

Aberdeenshire Council asked local residents to share their views on new design options for upgrading the play park at Clatt Village Hall. The current play equipment is getting old and has reached the end of its usable life. Submissions from three suppliers were put forward with the design below receiving 84% of the vote.

What we're doing

Aberdeenshire Council’s Landscape Services have now placed orders for the new play equipment, which will be installed over the coming months. Thank you again to everyone who took part and shared their views - your input has helped shape the new play park for the community.

You can view the original page here: Clatt Play Area | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

As part of the Balmedie Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) Project design phase, an online survey was conducted between 27^th January and 24^th February 2026 to gather the views and opinions of the local community and visitors to Balmedie Country Park.

A total of 250 respondents provided detailed insights into accessibility, travel patterns, facilities, infrastructure, priorities for investment, and overall visitor experience. Overall sentiment toward Balmedie Country Park was positive, with high levels of repeat visitation, strong appreciation for the natural landscape, and clear support for maintaining the park’s character. However, the survey also identifies several critical infrastructure challenges and priorities for enhancement.

Key Findings

Travel & Visitation

• The park is predominantly accessed by car, though walking and cycling form meaningful secondary modes.
• Regular use is high, with nearly 60% visiting at least monthly and over one‑third visiting weekly or daily.
• Most visitors stay 1–2 hours, indicating the park is a significant recreational asset.

Accessibility & Movement

• While 89% rated access as 'somewhat' or 'very' accessible, comments reveal recurring issues with path erosion, flooding, gradients, and inconsistent surfaces.
• Walking routes are the top improvement request (48.8%), followed by parking and cycling infrastructure.

Roads, Parking & Entrance

• The single‑track access road is a major pain point, with strong support for adding passing places and widening sections.
• Visitors rate parking mostly 'good' or 'fair', but there are clear calls for surface improvements, larger‑vehicle bays, clearer signage, and better management of horsebox areas.
• The entrance bollards generate significant anxiety; height barriers are strongly preferred over width restrictions.

Signage & Wayfinding

• Wayfinding is generally rated 'good' or 'fair', but respondents highlight outdated boards, insufficient route guidance, and a need for clearer, more consistent signage, especially toward the beach and accessible routes.

Paths & Cycling

• Paths are considered functional but fatigued, with drainage issues, surface deterioration, and missing links frequently noted.
• Cycling provision is rated mostly 'fair' or 'poor'; demand focuses on bike stands, shelters, and safer cycle access.

Toilets & Facilities

• Toilets are the single weakest‑rated facility in the park. The North block receives moderate but mixed ratings, while long-standing issues with the South block’s closure strongly influence visitor perceptions.
• There is overwhelming support for:
  1. Full renovation of existing toilets
  2. Re‑establishing a South toilet block
  3. Improved accessibility, baby-changing facilities, showers, and more modern layouts.

Motorhomes

• Two‑thirds do not want dedicated motorhome facilities, citing concerns about overdevelopment and environmental impact.
• Among supporters, interest focuses on basic, well‑managed service provision (waste, water, toilets) with strong preference for a South‑side location.

Open Comments Themes

The most frequent concerns relate to:

1. Toilets – poor condition, insufficient capacity, and lack of provision near the beach.
2. Bins and waste management – overflowing bins in summer, dog waste issues, and calls for better distribution and servicing.
3. Path quality and boardwalk condition – flooding, erosion, broken boards, and requests for accessible routes.
4. Access road and entrance layout – congestion, potholes, bollards, limited passing places.
5. Desire to preserve the park’s natural, wild character while improving essential infrastructure.

Additional recurring themes include benches, picnic areas, café access, ranger/warden presence, safer dog management, and improved play facilities.

Overall Conclusion

Balmedie Country Park is a valued and much‑loved community asset with high usage and strong emotional connection. The survey results highlight a clear set of priority areas (toilets, paths, signage, parking/road access, and waste management) that require targeted investment. Improvements should enhance safety, accessibility, and visitor experience while preserving the natural, low‑impact feel that defines the park.

What we are doing

The results of the Balmedie Country Park Survey have directly informed the development of a new Balmedie Country Park Masterplan. This document reflects the clearly identified need to improve facilities for both the local community and visitors, ensuring the park remains a high‑quality, accessible, and welcoming coastal destination.

To deliver these improvements, Aberdeenshire Council is working in partnership with our community partners to identify and secure funding that supports key infrastructure enhancements. Most recently, Aberdeenshire Council has submitted a funding application to the VisitScotland Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF). If successful, this funding will help address existing pressures and enhance the overall visitor experience through a coordinated programme of improvements across three areas of the park: the North, the South, and park‑wide interventions.

Park‑wide proposals include the creation of a unified Balmedie Country Park brand and identity, a coordinated suite of signage, and upgrades to key paths to support active travel and improve accessibility throughout the site.

In the North area, proposed improvements include enhancements to the park entrance, refurbishment of the existing toilet block, installation of a new shelter, provision of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points, new bike amenities, increased disabled parking bays, and the creation of dedicated BBQ facilities. Biodiversity enhancements will also be delivered through the removal of invasive species and the planting of native species.

In the South area, the primary focus is the replacement of the existing toilet block with a new modular facility incorporating Changing Places Toilet (CPT) provision. Additional improvements include the development of a purpose‑built motorhome facility offering overnight parking and dedicated toilet and waste‑disposal services for motorhome visitors.

Overall, Aberdeenshire Council aims to deliver high‑quality improvements at Balmedie Country Park that accommodate visitors with diverse access needs, address existing pressures, attract a broader range of tourists, increase visitor spend, and generate positive economic outcomes for Balmedie and the wider Aberdeenshire area.

You can view the original survey page here: Balmedie Country Park | Engage Aberdeenshire

What you told us

The charity Strichen Town House SCIO submitted an Asset Transfer request to take ownership of the former Strichen Library on Water Street. The proposal was to run the building as a community facility, hosting meetings and displaying local archive material. It was also proposed to work with the LiveLife Aberdeenshire so that Library Services could continue to be provided from the building.

We received one representation which was supportive of the request to transfer ownership of the asset. There were no other public representations made.

All of the documents relating to the Asset Transfer request can be viewed on the Council’s website by following this link: Asset Transfer - Strichen Library - Aberdeenshire Council

What we are doing

The Asset Transfer request was considered by the Buchan Area Committee on 11^th November 2025 and it was unanimously agreed that the proposal should be supported.

The Council formally transferred the building to Strichen Town House SCIO on 27^th March 2026.

What you told us

Over the past few years there has been a steady increase in the number of coach tours visiting Dunnottar Castle and Stonehaven town centre. Dunnottar Castle attracts around 120,000 visitors a year and this is expected to increase due to the cruise ships now docking in Aberdeen Harbour. If there is inadequate provision for coaches to drop off passengers in the town centre and park up nearby then they will simply go elsewhere, depriving the many businesses and attractions from potential income.

Through engagement with tour operators, we established that up to 9 coaches could visit Stonehaven in any one day. These coaches were spread across the day and did not all arrive at one time. Some coaches were bringing visitors from the cruise ships whilst others were tour operators from across the UK and abroad.

In 2025 a location plan was circulated to all known tour operators highlighting suitable locations outwith the town centre where they could park whilst waiting to collect their passengers.This included the bus bay at Mackie Academy during weekends and school holidays. However, these were not favoured by the coach drivers as they were considered to be too far away from facilities and amenities allowing the drivers to take a break and grab something to eat and drink before returning to collect their passengers.

Coaches have been reportedly parking in inappropriate locations such as junctions and parking at the bus interchange on Barclay Street impacting on the regular bus services. They are also regularly parking on the harbour piers coming into conflict with other vehicles and pedestrians. The route along the Old Pier towards the Backies car park is not suitable for large vehicles given the large numbers of pedestrians in that location all year round. The situation prompted a need to identify a suitable location(s) where coaches could park but still be close to amenities and somewhere to safely drop off and pick up passengers. Mill Lade Road is designated as an off street car park, therefore lends itself to providing bus bays since there is no provision within any of the other Council car parks in Stonehaven.

The purpose of the survey was to seek the views of the community at an early stage on proposals to create bus bays on the road behind Baird Park, as this area has been used in the past for visiting coaches attending community events. Direct contact was also made with the Quoitors Club, Allotment Users, Football clubs and nearby residents to ensure they were aware of the proposal.

Locations previously considered by the Council:

Leisure Centre car park – to allow coaches to manoeuvre around the car park and provide parking spaces would require the entire car park to be redesigned with the loss of a substantial number of car parking spaces. The Leisure Centre car park has been provided for users of the nearby leisure facilities. Therefore, reducing the number of car parking spaces would negatively impact regular users of the leisure facilities.

Beach Road – there is currently a weight limit of 7.5 tons on this road which prohibits large vehicles including coaches. There are inadequate turning facilities for large vehicles and during busy periods with vehicles parked close to junctions it would result in difficulties for coaches to turn safely.

B979 Road in front of Bowling Club – Additional bus bays in this location would create visibility issues for vehicles exiting Beach Road and the Bowling Club. Coach operators are not allowed to stop on bus stops provided for service buses. There is the additional safety risk for vehicles having to overtake several coaches parked on this stretch of road coming into conflict with vehicles coming in the other direction.

Opening out Mill Lade Road to make it one-way – Removal of the flower bed and allowing coaches to depart from this end was considered. However, this could not be achieved safely without impacting on the new road crossing, bus stops and vehicles exiting from the Bowling Club. Coach operators have also indicated that it is not possible to make a complete turn at the small roundabout at the Leisure Centre and buses have to reverse on the roundabout creating safety concerns.

What you told us

The survey generated 146 responses with the majority of people living in Stonehaven and those outwith travelling to Stonehaven for work or leisure/recreation reasons. Of the 142 responses received 82 supported the proposals whereas 65 were against it. Some were concerned at the loss of parking spaces, although this would have been overcome by allowing vehicles to park along one side of Baird Park from April to October, as has been in operation for the last couple of years.

However, there were a number of safety concerns over the mix of activities in the park which would put pedestrians into conflict with vehicles turning. Concerns were also raised over the loss of the area for parking and potential impacts for allotment users. A number of responses preferred that the coaches were parked on the outskirts of the town.

The following locations were suggested as alternatives by members of the public:

Old gas works site – this is privately owned and has planning permission for a housing development. The access roads leading to this site are unsuitable for coaches.

Stagecoach yard – this is privately owned and future plans for the site are unknown.

Near Dunnottar Castle – Due to the number of coach tours visiting Dunnottar Castle they have had to stagger coach arrivals to manage the parking situation. The area is also busy with motorhomes and cars from people simply enjoying the coastal walk. Vehicles are parking on the verges which is causing damage and would be made worse by heavy coaches. Many of the coaches dropping passengers off in the town centre have come from Dunnottar Castle and is considered too far for coach drivers to access suitable amenities.

Land next to Fetteresso Cemetery – to provide coach parking at this location would require significant investment and time to develop. Coach drivers have indicated that they require somewhere central so that they can purchase refreshments whilst on their break. Therefore, any out-of-town coach parking facility would also require to have toilet and refreshment facilities. Such a facility would have to be taken forward by a private developer as this is not a function of the local authority.

Grass area next to Swimming Pool – This area has already been included in plans for the formal pedestrianisation of the Promenade providing additional car parking spaces to offset the loss of spaces opposite the businesses. The new car park spaces will also prevent vehicles parking on both sides of this stretch of road ensuring there is a two-way traffic flow into the caravan site and Cowie village for emergency vehicles.

Creating a bus park within the Recreation Grounds – this land is privately owned by the Recreation Grounds Trust and not Aberdeenshire Council. The caravan park provides a regular income from stance fees which helps to maintain the wider site.

Cowie layby – This site was considered as a potential alternative to Baird Park but is slightly further out of town for coach drivers who may only have a short stop. However, it is worth considering further.

What we’re doing

Therefore, taking all of the feedback into account the Council has decided not to proceed with the proposal at Baird Park and will look at other locations including the Cowie layby. Further consultation will take place on this location after an initial mapping exercise has been undertaken to confirm whether this location could be made suitable for coaches.

You can view the original project here: Coach Parking Proposals for Stonehaven | Engage Aberdeenshire