The commercial development will see the building of an 8,000 square metre office, storage and distribution facilities by Donald Russell Ltd at a site Midmill, Kintore. This will house the award-winning online butcher and meat supplier's new European Headquarters and call and fulfilment centre.

The application had generated 25 letters of representation expressing concerns including the suitability of access and a mini roundabout on the access route; concerns over noise both from the site and the HGV lorries using the site and road safety in general. Kintore Community Council, while generally supportive of the application, mirrored concerns regarding traffic, noise and nuisance.

Garioch Area Planning Officer, Lesley Aitken told the committee that the land is allocated as suitable for business use; the Transport and Infrastructure department had indicated that traffic measures, including the mini roundabout were adequate for the proposals.

She also pointed out that Environmental Health had carried out two noise impact assessments, both of which proved to be of an acceptable level. The design was of a high standard with good sustainability and therefore Planning and Development recommended approval subject to conditions.

Councillor Nan Cullinane raised concerns regarding the suitability of the mini roundabout, which had also featured heavily in the letters of representation. Local Roads Manager, Ian Rendall, stated that the mini roundabout was only temporary and the land around it has been reserved for a bigger one in the future.

East Garioch councillor Martin Ford said: "It is clear from representations that people are generally supportive of this application. The number of jobs compared to employees is out of kilter in Kintore with many employees travelling some distance to work.

"A new employer is to be very much welcomed, the site is allocated and there is only a limited number of industrial sites in the area. The two main issues appear to be noise and traffic. I would also like reassurance regarding the roundabout, that temporary does mean temporary."

Ian Rendall confirmed that it was temporary but warned that it may be some considerable time before it was enlarged.

Councillor Cullinane added that she supported it in principle but asked if a condition that all HGV vehicles had to access via the Broomhill roundabout. Lesley Aitken replied that it would be very difficult to enforce that but a Route Plan could be discussed between the applicant and Transport and Infrastructure.

Councillor Fergie Hood commented: "I support this application but have concerns regarding access. It would be a good idea to upgrade the roundabout, and would it be possible to extend Industrial Road down to the site?"

He also asked whether an independent noise survey could be carried out after completion in the interests of the neighbouring community.

Lesley Aitken replied that all the conditions regarding noise survey had been carried out and that Donald Russell did not yet know which type of refrigeration units they would be installing, but that they would have to meet acceptable levels before operations could begin.

Inverurie and District councillor Michael Raeburn stated that in terms of noise levels, they are set prior to operations commencing and if they are not met the applicants would have to address it.

Councillor Ford raised concerns regarding operating hours, which are stated as 7am until 11pm. He asked if it would be possible to hold discussions regarding cutting this back to 10pm or 10.30pm as long as it did not compromise the business. He was informed that the applicant had requested these hours and it was suspected that reducing them may impact on the operations.

West Garioch councillor Bryan Stuart said: "I do, rather reluctantly, support the application, but with obvious concerns regarding noise. Access taken through the adjoining industrial estate would be much more sensible."

The committee agreed to delegate granting approval to the Head of Development Management and Building Standards subject to upgrading work on the roundabout and discussions on route planning.

The Committee then moved on to discussion concerning an application by Grampian Housing association for 50 houses and 36 flats at land adjacent to Sunnyside View, also in Kintore.

Lesley Aitken informed the committee that the application was for mix of 22 three bedroom houses, 28 two bedroom houses, 18 one bedroom flats and 18 two bedroom flats. The application had generated six letters of representation raising concerns over flooding risks, lack of facilities within Kintore, pressure on the school and concerns regarding transport infrastructure as well as loss of views.

She said that the layout and design were of a good quality and the mix of properties across the site was also good. Energy efficiency measures would be agreed prior to construction. She admitted that there was a lot of pressure on the existing amenities in Kintore, but added that affordable housing within the site is required. Discussions regarding provision of a Community House are ongoing with the local Community Council.

Councillor Fergie Hood commented: "I welcome this application, especially the affordable housing, but have definite concerns regarding the impact on the school." Committee Chair Martin Kitts-Hayes agreed commenting that it would not be long before Kintore required a second primary school.

Councillor Ford also agreed, adding: "The new school at Kintore already has capacity problems and the ability to add space is restricted by the site. When the principle of future development was discussed in 2006 we really had no awareness that this would be come such a problem."

He asked for advice regarding the legal implications of rejecting the development regarding the school's capacity from Gordon Davidson, Head of Law and Administration. Mr Davidson said that such discussions would have taken place at the outline planning stage.

Councillor Raeburn reminded the committee that the largest part of the problem did not come from decisions made by the committee but stemmed from a decision from the Scottish Executive Reporters' Unit which overturned a committee decision to refuse housing on land that was not allocated.

The committee agreed to delegate granting full planning permission to the Head of Development Management and Building Standards subject to conditions.