Aberdeenshire Council seeking alternative traveller site

Aberdeenshire Council is to press ahead with plans to ensure a planning enforcement notice is complied with by the residents of an unauthorised traveller site at St Cyrus.

Scottish ministers last year overturned retrospective planning permission for the land at North Esk, which is home to more than 100 travellers.

Councillors agreed that work should be carried out to identify an alternative site.

Families have until 31 July to comply.

Enforcement action will not take place before this.

'Not moving'

However, one traveller - who did not want to me named - said he has no intention of moving off the site with his wife and children.

He said: "I am a human being. I pay tax. I have created a home. I want peace to live there.

"I can't go in a house - it's against my human rights.

"If it was luxury houses we would not be here. I'm not moving."

'Horror scenario'

Councillor Martin Ford said it was hoped enforcement would not have to happen.

He said: "There are a number of ways this could end up - the horror scenario is that residents have to be cleared from the site.

"The council has no enthusiasm for that.

"We will have another report in June."