Plans for a crematorium near Daviot, Aberdeenshire, were refused due to noise concerns and 84 objections from local residents.
The chapel would have held 144 people facing Bennachie. Two hundred solar panels would have powered the cremator. The site included a remembrance garden and a reflective pool. Mourners could remember loved ones there. Councillors reviewed the plan twice but disagreed about it.
Formartine councillors wanted it refused, while Garioch councillors wanted it approved. The infrastructure committee made the final decision. Lesley Tierney spoke for Mr. Milne, stating more cremations are needed. Aberdeenshire’s population is aging, and deaths are expected to rise. Current crematorium capacity is insufficient.
Tierney said it was an ambitious and respectful plan that wouldn’t harm the area or create extra pollution. Noise wouldn’t impact Stewart Trailers. They looked at other sites too, considering Ellon and Inverurie. The Inverurie site was near a slaughterhouse, which made it undesirable.
Other sites were closer to homes and could cause more problems. Safety was a concern at the council meeting. Councillor Paul Johnston talked about the B9001 road where cars can travel at 66 mph. The road’s speed matters.
Stephen Park defended the plan, stating the roads team checked it and made no objections. Elaine Farquharson-Black represented Stewart Trailers, saying the site was uniquely unsuitable. She worried about the crematorium’s effect on business, adding that manufacturing trailers makes noise.
Welding and metal work create noise, and forklifts move heavy materials. Stewart Trailers did its own noise test that showed higher sound levels. The test showed the garden could be noisy, and complaints would likely happen there. The firm might need to change operations.
Farquharson-Black mentioned the Edinburgh Tattoo, stating noise complaints reduced flypasts. She worried about the same issues and was concerned about noise complaints. James Stewart, who runs Stewart Trailers, attended the meeting and defended his business’s noise.
He said noise is unavoidable because steel work can be loud, while a funeral needs silence. He stated these things could clash one day, and he doesn’t want to ruin a funeral. He worries business could be affected because their business has been problem-free for 30 years. The crematorium could threaten it.
Councillor Derek Ritchie opposed the plan because he said the B9001 was unsafe and the site was wrong due to Stewart Trailers. He said steel work cannot be quiet, and crematoriums require silence and dignity. People need a place for farewells, and Councillor Ritchie stressed the importance of the location.
Councillor Alan Turner liked the planning advice and wanted to approve it. Members voted on it. Ten voted to refuse the application, and four voted to approve it.