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A few things of current importance. Go straight to website
The Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council welcome you to our community website.
Items in Stop Press which are now out of date may still be viewed here.
The next Community Council meeting will be on Thursday 25 February and it will be carried out by a Zoom conference call at 7.00 p.m. If residents wish to participate in the meeting please send a request for the log in details to us at cbmcc@cbmcommunity.org.uk prior to the meeting. Residents are invited to submit questions and concerns about local issues to the Community Council at cbmcc@cbmcommunity.org.uk .
MBC News (Edition 190) is being delivered to homes in our area. Submissions for the next edition 191, are due in by 1 April 2021.
Cults Station Change of Use to a Food and Drink Business - Cults
Request For Your Input on the Pros and Cons - Binghill House - Active retirement community (circa 60 units in mix of apartments, cottages and houses and 20-bed nursing home) including small-scale local shop and café, community allotments and associated infrastructure
There has been much discussion and debate about the merits and level of support for the Binghill House Planning Application 200750. The Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council initially supported the proposed development but after hearing the concerns of some Milltimber residents who are opposed to the development, and acknowledging that around 150 Milltimber residents have objected to the application, the Community Council agreed to formally object to the application (see section below).
The reason for initially supporting the proposed development of low-rise cottages and houses is that they would offer a welcome alternative to flatted developments and it would enable senior occupants of large houses to downsize to comfortable smaller accommodation in a semi-rural environment, with access to continuing care available on site. The application is not for mainstream housing, which we could not support, but for specialised housing with care facilities, the nature of which clearly fits in with our Community Plan.
We recognise that this application is a departure from both ALDP2017 and the proposed ALDP2020. It has also attracted a significant number of public objections, around 150, which cite loss of Green Belt, concern about over-supply of housing and the economic future of Aberdeen, weariness with large construction projects in and near Milltimber (e.g. AWPR, Oldfold, possible Milltimber South) and the walking distance of the site from the North Deeside Road on poor footpaths. A number of local residents have expressed concern about the new exit road from the development onto the crown of the bend in Binghill Road and potential conflict with “drop-off” traffic to the new primary school.
The next step in the review process for the application is a pre-determination hearing for the Aberdeen City Council Planning Development Management Committee and this is scheduled for 15 March.
To help inform discussion, the Community Council have prepared a list of pros and cons relating to the proposed development. The document can be seen in the attached LINK
We would very much appreciate any additional thoughts from the residents of Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber on the pros and cons of a retirement village – the ideas may help with this and future similar planning applications. You can provide your thoughts either by sending an email to cbmcc@cbmcommunity.org.uk or on the Facebook post no later than 10 March.
Binghill House Development - Milltimber
Binghill House Milltimber (ACC Planning Reference 200750)
This development application was discussed at the 23rd July 2020 Community Council meeting and again at the meeting on 26 November 2020. After careful consideration at the July meeting, while noting that around 150 Milltimber residents have submitted an objection to the development, the Community Council felt the need for retirement homes in the Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber area, particularly those including bungalows, and the benefits this would bring outweighed the local objections and submitted a letter of conditional support for the development. Subsequent to this letter being submitted, further discussions with ACC Planning and with the developer highlighted that some of the conditions the Community Council would like to see applied to the development can not be enforced through planning approval. Our discussions with the applicant gave us comfort that they are keen to address our concerns, but that they could only do this as and when the proposal proceeds to a more detailed stage. When the application was discussed again at the November meeting, the Community Council agreed to modify its position to one of neutrality (see link).
The developer put forward some additional proposals on 13 January 2021. After carefully reviewing the additional Heritage, Landscape and Design Statements provided by the applicant and taking the opportunity to listen to the views of a number of local objectors who joined our virtual CBMCC meeting on 28 January to discuss their concerns, the Community Council has now agreed to submit a letter of objection to the development proposal. The letter can be seen in this link.
The Community Council Community Plan for the area of Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber still recognises the need for the building of smaller retirement homes, in particular 2/3 bedroom bungalows and we hope to see developers come forward with this type of proposal rather than the repeated applications to build large detached homes.
The Compass Project
The Camphill Wellbeing Trust are excited to announce the launch of COMPASS, a new project to transform the former Waldorf School site into a centre demonstrating practical solutions for healthy, sustainable lifestyles.
The site on Craigton Road, Cults, Aberdeen is owned by Camphill Estates and has been unoccupied since the closure of the Waldorf School in 2014. Keen not to lose the potential of this naturally beautiful & historic site, CWT are taking it on to host COMPASS, with plans to create inclusive spaces that serve and engage the local and wider community of Aberdeen City & Shire.
Project updates can be found using these links:
This is also available to download from the Compass webpage: https://www.camphillwellbeing.
COMPASS is envisaged as a place where the ethos and practices successfully pioneered for those with learning disabilities by the North-East Camphill organisations will be translated to benefit all who want to improve their health, maintain their wellbeing or explore a more sustainable lifestyle.
The project will showcase:
- - sustainable building practices with conservation of the listed main building & sensitive repurposing of the others
- - an integrated, creative health & education approach, supported by the natural & built environment
- - sustainable social enterprise projects serving the local community and involving those with learning disabilities
- - organic/biodynamic land use with nutritious food production, demonstration allotments, bee hives, wild flower meadow and woodland
- - repair, reuse & recycle practices minimising waste and encouraging sustainability
Field at Friarsfield.
The Community Council would like to thanks all those who have responded to its request for views about the future use of the field. We had over 50 responses to the poster and postings on our website and Facebook page about the future use of the field below the former Waldorf school.Thanks to all those who responded. Those received before the 20 January have been analysed and a report, copy attached, was considered and approved by the Community Council at its meeting on the 28th January. The CC is in-touch with the Camphill Wellbeing Trust and we will let you know the outcome of the negotiations about the lease.
The scale and content of the response from the community has been very heartening. These views will also inform the current review of the Community Council’s Community Plan. (http://www.cbmcommunity.org.uk/community-plan/).
See further details here
Cults Medical Group Practice Update
If you wish to share any comments with the Community Council please send them to us at: cbmcc@cbmcommunity.org.uk
Countesswells Development - Phase 2 Masterplan
on Tuesday 8th December between 4pm and 7pm.
The outline proposal, which can be found online at Countesswellsconsultation.co.uk will build upon the key design concepts and principles established within the adopted Countesswells Development Framework and Phase 1 Masterplan.
Spaces For People – Cults - 17 July 2020
Thank you for your feedback on the proposals from Aberdeen City Council for creating wider pavements to allow continued social distancing in the centre of Cults. We had lots of comments and the view was overwhelmingly against the proposed measures. We have written to Aberdeen City Council expressing our objection to the proposals and asking them to reconsider their plans - our response can be read HERE. We are still interested in hearing your views and feedback on the proposals if you have not yet sent them in so that we can continue to discuss the proposals with Council Officers. You can comment on the post or send an email to us at: cbmcc@cbmcommunity.org.uk
The City Council is working under the current Coronavirus Regulations and following Scottish Government guidance on “Safer Public Spaces for Scotland”, and using funding granted to it by the Scottish Government to enable social distancing on streets in shopping areas. It should be noted that these powers are delegated to the Local Authority and they are not controlled by your elected City Councillors.
The proposals affect parking in the centre of Cults, with the removal of most on road parking to allow the creation of wider pavements so that people can pass keeping a distance of 2 m. from others walking or queuing on the pavement. This file shows the areas affected and a summary can be read in this file.
Community Council Meetings - Thursday 25 February 2021 Virtual Meeting at 7.00 p.m.
Following the advice of the UK and Scottish Governments to reduce non-essential social contact and avoid public gatherings while the Coronavirus illness spreads, the Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council have decided to cancel face to face meetings. The monthly meetings will be a virtual meeting using the Zoom technology and it will begin at 7.00 p.m. If residents wish to participate in the meeting please send an email to cbmcc@cbmcommunity.org.uk and we will provide the joining information.
The agenda for the meeting can be found using this link when ready. If residents have questions or comments to raise for the attention of the Community Council, we ask that you send them by email to cbmcc@cbmcommunity.org.uk by 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before the meeting. We will then respond to you after the meeting.
The Community Council will continue to function and deal with matters as they are brought to our attention, working through email and telephone communications. Any residents with questions or concerns on community matters can get in touch with us as usual by email at cbmcc@cbmcommunity.org.uk and through the other contact details published in the MBC News. You can also keep up to date through information published on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cbmcomcouncil) and website (www.cbmcommunity.org.uk).
We hope you understand the reasons for this action and thank you for your support.
Consultation - Aberdeen City Local Development Plan 2022
Some planning applications can generate a large interest. The starting point for most planning activity in our area is the Aberdeen Local Development Plan (and at a higher level, the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Plan). The time to steer the direction development takes in our city is when that plan is prepared. The current plan was issued in 2017 and the next version of the plan has been available for consultation, the consultation period closed on 31 August 2020.
Your Community Council has reviewed the proposed plan and the proposed submissions from developers and submitted comments, supporting the Aberdeen City Council view that no further major developments in Lower Deeside can be justified for inclusion in the plan. The response can be viewed by following this link.
Previous experience tells us that as well as responding to the Proposed Plan, we should also review once more the proposals put forward by developers in the Main Issues Report 2019 which were rejected as unsuitable to be included in the Plan. No doubt developers who are unhappy with the City Council’s decisions will put their views forward at the Public Examination in 2021 so it is important that community views are clearly expressed to the Scottish Government Reporter (see what happened at Milltimber South). We have done this.
You can find the Proposed Plan and all associated documents at:
https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/…/aberdeen-local-developmen…
which takes you to the relevant page of the City Council website. Please take time to look a them and make your comments to the Council planners through the link provided an that page.
The Main Issues Report (MIR) has been published as part of the process in preparation for the 2022 Aberdeen Local Development Plan. It is designed to gather views on specific proposals and sets out options for dealing with the key planning matters facing Aberdeen over the next 20 years.
The MIR and associated documents were available for a 10-week public consultation which ended on 13 May 2019. The Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council prepared a response to the issues and questions posed and you can read those by clicking the following link here.
Milltimber South Development
Bancon Homes and the Seven Incorporated Trades have now applied for planning permission in principle to build “up to 99 houses” and 2000m2 of commercial or retail space on the open land South of the North Deeside Road in Milltimber. You can find all the details of the application 200535 on the Aberdeen City Council website under Planning at this LINK
It is most important that the City Council receives as wide a range of community views on this application as possible so please take a look at the proposals and make your comments as soon as possible. You can do this by letter, email or through the Council’s planning website. The closing date is 4 June so there is no time to lose!
The documents do not provide details of the types of houses proposed - those details will come in a detailed planning application. However you should note that the proposed number of houses is 99 which is greater than the 60 proposed by the Scottish Reporter.
The Community Council will of course be submitting its own comments
The earlier news which may have pleased many of our residents in Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber - especially Milltimber. The Aberdeen City Council approved the proposed Local Development Plan for the City which, once it has gone through the normal consultation and review processes, should come into effect in 2022. The proposed plan includes the decision to remove Development Opportunity Site OP114 from the plan; this site is the land proposed for the Milltimber South development south of the North Deeside Road.
Before you crack open the champagne, there are likely to be some challenges to the decision and it is only the proposed plan. There is a current Local Development Plan, issued in 2017, which includes the development site following the intervention of the Scottish Reporter. However it is a positive step towards retaining the green fields.
The public will be given the opportunity to comment on the proposed Local Development Plan in the near future.
You can find what you need to know about COVID-19 by following the link to our Coronavirus information page.
What parents need to know about COVID-19
Here is some advice from RCPCH - the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health - and Healthier Together.
COVID-19 appears to generally cause mild illness in children. Less than 2 in every 100 cases diagnosed in China have been in children and infection appears to be milder in children than it is in adults, although we do not yet understand exactly why this is the case.
However, at this time, when everyone is preoccupied with COVID-19, it's really important to realise that not every illness your child has is due to COVID-19. All the 'normal' infections that can make children and babies really unwell still remain and there is a major risk that parents may delay bringing their child to the attention of a healthcare professionals even if they are unwell. If you are not sure if your child is unwell and whether they need to be seen by someone, look at this link;
Coronavirus COVID-19 Community Help Scheme
Helping people at increased risk
We know that many people are providing ad hoc support to friends and neighbours. Please continue to do this; it is so important. As a community council, we want to provide a support mechanism both to identify people who may fall in to the gaps and to ensure that everyone at increased risk is known and monitored.
Registering as a person at increased risk
Please use the form you find here: [https://forms.gle/h8VaSra9eAEMEJzw9].
You can also access the form on cultercc.org.uk/resilience. This is the site of our neighbouring CC but all information related to the CBM area will be handled by the CBMCC Coronavirus Help Group.
Make sure there is a little padlock to the left of the address. This ensures secure access.
If you do not have a computer or smartphone or have difficulty finding the form you can either:
- Phone 01224 869028.
There may be an answering machine but can also try the mobile phone back up 07736232119
- Ask someone you trust to do it for you. This person will also have to record their own details.
When we first make contact we will confirm all these details.
If you know someone who may be at increased risk, please contact them to explain this scheme and ask if they would like to register. You can then record the details on their behalf.
Next steps
The immediate need is to compile these registers, with appropriate safeguards in place. The initial monitoring will take the form of a daily phone call from one of our volunteers. The security word (password) used to register will be very important, as the volunteers will use this to confirm that the call is genuine. If you receive a call from a stranger claiming to be from the Coronavirus Help Group and they do not use the password, please hang up.
On the first call by a volunteer to the resident, they will introduce themselves and quote the agreed password. They will then verify the details on the form. On every subsequent call they must quote the password to validate they are genuine.
CORONAVIRUS COMMUNITY HELP SCHEME - VOLUNTEERS
Thanks for the great response to the request for volunteers to help those isolating due to the Coronavirus infection (see item above). Many people have registered as volunteers in the past days. Thank you for doing this. If there are any more who want to offer their help please contact the following depending on your location:
Residents in Cults - Guus Glass at GuusGlass@talktalk.net
Residents in Bieldside - Peter Roberts at roberts.peter53@gmail.com
Residents in Milltimber - Colin Morsley at cc@candnmorsley.f9.co.uk
Coronavirus COVID-19 - Aberdeen City Council Operations- May 2020
The UK and Scottish Governments have announced restrictions on the movement of people. The information on the Aberdeen City Council page is being updated accordingly and you can find guidance on how council services are impacted by using this link.
General information
For the latest Scottish Government update, see Coronavirus in Scotland
For general information about COVID-19, visit NHS Inform using the link. If you think that you or someone you know might have COVID-19, visit the NHS self help guide
Emergency helpline
Aberdeen City Council has launched a free emergency telephone helpline to prioritise support to its most vulnerable and at-risk customers during the coronavirus outbreak.
The number, 0800 0304 713, will be staffed from 8am-6pm Monday to Friday from Tuesday 24 March until further notice. It is for those hit hardest and unable to obtain help from their existing support networks.
The team are ready to provide welfare and financial advice and support, including what to do if you are struggling to get food or pay bills.
Council services
In response to the latest government advice on the coronavirus, Aberdeen City Council has taken a number of steps to prevent further spread of the virus; protect employee and public health; and to ensure we can continue to deliver public services, especially to those who need us most. Find out more at the Aberdeen City Council website using this link
Information is being shared regularly and here are some recent information releases which you read by clicking the link:
New physical distancing measures to make city centre safe. See details here.
Council recycling centres to open 1 June 2020: see the details using this link
Changes to waste and recycling schemes - We are now pleased to tell you that mixed recycling and brown bin collections are to resume although your collection dates will change. Use the link to check the collection calendar.
General waste bins will continue to be emptied fortnightly.
Collections of mixed recycling and brown bins will be collected separately as follows:
- Brown bins will be collected weeks beginning 6 April and 13 April;
- Mixed recycling bins will be collected weeks beginning 20 April and 27 April;
Emergency telephone line contact information
Housing/sheltered housing/homelessness welfare financial information
The Grampian Local Resilience Partnership (GLRP) has agreed to the establishment of a Humanitarian Assistance Centre (HAC) to deliver Care for People and Community Resilience under one banner.
Cults Medical Group Geared up for Coronavirus
The Cults Medical Practice set up has been changed substantially to cope with Covid-19 infections. Patients suspected to be affected by the virus will be attended to in a completely segregated section of the surgery. This has also resulted in a change in the appointment system. CMG will now be operating a full triage system for all appointments. People should NOT attend the practice unless they have been specifically instructed to do so by a clinician. This will make it possible for the Health professionals to deal with both Covid patients and people with other health issues in a safe and efficient way. Please be understanding
You can see a video from Dr. McKeown here, where he offers his appreciation for the understanding of the new system by patients
The Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership issued its "West Locality Plan (2017 - 2019)" some time ago but it is still valid. It may be viewed here. Following a decision to move to three Localities, our area will now be part of the South Locality and the West Locality will no longer exist.
Road Traffic Closures
Click here to see pending road closures in our area.
Safety and Security At Home and Out and About
Click here to see the latest safety and security advice from Police Scotland and The Neighbourhood Watch network.
Safety on the Old Deeside Line
Please click here to view the report of the events regarding Safety Events on the Old Deeside Line (ODL)
Donate to MBCBM - More Blooms In Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber
The Community Council is seeking funds to sustain its annual flower tubs and baskets programme. If you are considering a donation to MBCBM, the Community Council funded activity to bring plants and colour to our surroundings, please click here.
Community Resilience Plan
This has now been uploaded to the web, click here.
Food Caddy Liners For Recycling May 2019
Online ordering of food caddy liners will cease on the 31st May 2019. From the 1st June free liners will only be available from distribution points throughout the city. There are currently 37 distribution points across the city. A map of sites is available using this link to the Aberdeen City website.
https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/…/request-bins-and-collect-…
Additional distribution points have been identified and will shortly be added to the map. The recycling team is working on increasing the number of distribution points further to improve accessibility and availability to the householder. The team would welcome any suggestions you may have for new outlets.
It is recognised that some residents may have difficulty accessing a distribution point and we have collaborated with the Home Library Service to continue deliver to these residents. For more information please visit: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/…/libr…/home-library-service
Residents can contact the Waste and Recycling Team by logging an enquiry at https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/…/b…/waste-general-enquiries for advice and assistance.
The change will be communicated to the public via a press release, social media and the Council website.
Additional distribution points
• Home Library Service Airyhall Library Springfield Road Aberdeen AB15 7RF
• Inchgarth Community Centre Aboyne Pl, Aberdeen AB10 7DR
• Ferryhill Community Centre Albury Road, Aberdeen, AB11 6TN
• Books and Beans Café 22 Belmont Street, AB10 1JH
• CFINE 2-4 Poynernook Road, AB11 5RW
• Multi-Cultural Centre 472 George Street AB25 1ER
New sections on Walks and Footpath Group have been uploaded.
Various walks that have been previously published in the MBCNews. The walks may now be seen on line and may also be downloaded in printable form so that they may easily be reproduced for taking on a walk. Details of the Footpath Group which inspired these walks may be seen here.
The members of the Community Council and their primary responsibilities are;
Guus Glass - Chair, Health and Social Care, Resilience Planning
Peter Roberts - Vice Chair and Meetings Secretary, Facebook
Graham Payne - Treasurer, More Blooms in CBM, website, Twitter
Colin Morsley - Planning Liaison, Roads and Traffic
David Anstee - Public Transport
Eleanor Brennan - Diversity and Equality, MBC Festival
Lindsay Davidson - Christmas Lights
Matthew Dickie - Newton Dee
Del Ellbec - Heritage
Joe Ochei - Youth and Education
Tania Qadir
Jim Smith
Peter Smith - Footpath group, Community Plan
Christine Taylor - Planning support
Associate Member -Alistair Mckinnon
You can contact the Community Council at cbmcc@cbmcommunity.org.uk
Community Council Submissions to Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Plan Main Issues and Aberdeen City Local Development Plan Main Issues
Consultation on Safety on the Old Deeside Railway Line.
Your views, comments and ideas welcome.
The Cults Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council have drafted a paper on safety issues pertaining to users of the Deeside Way, the Old Deeside Railway Line and is keen to receive the comments of residents, local organisations and businesses. To view the paper click here.
All comments will be collated anonymously and acted upon as appropriate. Your identity will not be disclosed.
Consultation on draft Community Plan,
Your views, comments and ideas welcome.
The Cults Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council have drafted a local Community Plan and is keen to receive the comments of residents, local organisations and businesses. To view the Plan click here. The Community Plan may be downloaded here as a pdf file as can the Appendices. A hard copy is available for consultation at Cults library.
You can respond on-line under each section or by entering your comments on a response sheet, which can also be downloaded here and returned by email to cbmcc@cbmcommunity.org.uk or by post to CBMCC at: 188 North Deeside Road, Milltimber, AB13 0HL. Copies of the response sheet are also available at Cults Library.
All comments, however received, will be collated anonymously and acted upon as appropriate. Your identity will not be disclosed.
Recently Submitted Planning Applications
Click here to see the recently submitted planning applications for the Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber area. If you want to bring any comments on an application, either objections or words of support, to the Community Councils's attention please contact us at cbmcc@cbmcommunity.org.uk