Call to allow Traveller site in the north east

The council, which has recently decided to create four new halting sites across the region, turned down a planning application for a camp on land near the St Cyrus nature reserve which had been purchased by a group of families for that purpose.

The families moved onto the land illegally in 2013 but only submitted an unsuccessful application last month.

Stonehaven and District Community Council debated the illegal site on Tuesday.

Cllr Graeme Clark told the Press & Journal that the local authority could not allow Travellers to set up camp without permission, but community council member Ian Hunter said: “When they manage a site themselves, they do it right. The site is impeccable.”