Policy - Other Information

Town Centre Health Checks

Town Centre Health Checks are done to analyse the factors that contribute to successful town centres and show good standards of vitality and viability. The reports present the results of the Town Centre Health Checks to enable an understanding of the vitality and viability of the town centre. The results are not definitive of the well-being of a town centre, but instead they give an evidence-based comparative perspective on this matter and help in identifying actions that could be taken to improve and maintain their status.

Town Centre Health Checks are done annually for the 9 main towns in Aberdeenshire (including Macduff as the other regeneration town):

  • Banchory
  • Banff
  • Ellon
  • Fraserburgh
  • Huntly
  • Inverurie
  • Peterhead
  • Stonehaven
  • Turriff

Community and business surveys are issued every second year, and therefore some elements within the health checks may be out of date in towns where work has been recently completed. Where possible it has been highlighted in the reports where changes and updates have occurred.

In 2022 Town Centre Health Checks were also carried out for 8 academy towns and will be done every second year:

  • Aboyne
  • Alford
  • Kemnay
  • Laurencekirk
  • Mintlaw
  • Oldmeldrum
  • Portlethen
  • Westhill

View completed health checks:

Parks and Open Spaces Strategy

Following a stakeholder and wider public consultation on the Strategy in March and April 2010, and its discussion at the six Area Committees in October and November 2010, the Infrastructure Services Committee approved the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy on 27 January 2011.

View settlement summaries.

View Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (January 2011) (PDF 182KB).

Housing Need and Demand Assessment 2011

The Scottish Government requires that development plans and local housing strategies are informed by the preparation of a 'Housing Need and Demand Assessment' (HNDA).

The HNDA provides robust evidence on which to base planning and housing policy interventions. The assessment considers the operation and scope of current housing markets, identifying key drivers within the housing system to assess the future housing market and the housing needs of current and future residents.

View Housing Need and Demands Assessment 2011 (PDF 4.8MB).

Westhill Capacity Study Update 2014

The Westhill Capacity Study was originally prepared in 2008 and has been subject to a 2014 update. The update carries the same status as the original Capacity Study in that it will not itself become part of the Development Plan for Aberdeenshire, but will become part of the body of knowledge from which any future Development Plans will be informed. Effectively, its purpose is to illustrate capacity rather than to indicate commitment.

View Westhill Capacity Study update (PDF 9.6MB).