Kirstie Topp

The Thomson family’s Middleton Farm near Potterton hopes to build a larger farm shop and café offering local food, crafts, seasonal goods, children’s activities and locally grown produce. Aberdeenshire Council’s roads team has objected because the proposal lacks a footpath to a nearby bus stop and requires changes to the entrance walls. The required path and wall works could cost more than £100,000, making the project financially unviable and delaying its planned opening. The family argues that the development would support the farm, attract visitors and restore access to basic goods after local village shops closed.

Aberdeen City Council has obtained a building warrant to spend £5.8 million demolishing 277 homes in Balnagask, Torry, affected by potentially dangerous RAAC. The controlled, floor-by-floor demolition is part of a wider redevelopment expected to cost more than £130 million and eventually deliver social housing. More than 360 council tenants have already been rehoused, while the council has warned the 12 remaining homeowners to make their properties safe or leave, with enforcement action possible. One resident, Dave Porter, spent £18,000 removing RAAC from his roof but remains concerned he could still face compulsory purchase.

Aldi plans a significant extension of its Ellon store to improve customer experience and expand its product range. The proposal includes reconfigured parking, new EV charging infrastructure, updated equipment with sustainable air source pumps, relocated cycle facilities, and redesigned customer entrances. Agents state the extension will enhance the town centre’s vitality while offering a more sustainable alternative to building a new store.

The Co-op has renewed its objection to a proposed Tesco supermarket at New Mains of Ury near Stonehaven, arguing it would damage the town centre and significantly impact its existing stores. The retailer cites concerns over trade diversion and broader risks posed by additional planned food retailers including Aldi and M&S. Aberdeenshire Council has previously rejected a similar proposal, and both the council and Scottish Ministers have taken positions against out‑of‑centre retail development. Ury Estates has also opposed the Tesco plan. The revised £15 million proposal includes a supermarket, café or restaurant, and EV charging hub, and could create up to 100 jobs if approved.

A dispute has emerged over competing retail developments in Stonehaven as Ury Estates objects to a renewed £15 million Tesco proposal, arguing it could jeopardize its own consented plans for Aldi and M&S stores alongside housing, sports facilities and a Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course. Ashfield Commercial Developments, behind the Tesco plan, maintains the store would create jobs, attract passing trade and deliver substantial economic benefits. Aberdeenshire Council is being urged to consider existing approvals before allowing a second major retail project to proceed.

An audit has found Aberdeenshire Council’s museums service at major risk due to poor documentation, missing records, and a significant backlog in cataloguing historical assets. Only a small fraction of the collection has been logged, with outdated storage formats and incomplete loan and insurance records complicating efforts to achieve reaccreditation. Officials said volunteers are essential to progress, while councillors raised concerns about reputational risk, missing artworks, and slow database updates. Accreditation remains possible, and provisional status could provide extra time as work continues toward the launch of the Museum of Aberdeenshire.