Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire – one of the 32 counties in Scotland. With the introduction of the Scottish Parliament of a new system of self-government, Aberdeenshire.

Cenos Floating Offshore Windfarm

Cenos Floating Offshore Windfarm consultation event 01.10

Members of the public and other stakeholders are invited to attend a consultation event on the proposals for the Cenos Floating Offshore Windfarm.

Members of the public and other stakeholders are invited to attend a consultation event on the proposals for the Cenos Floating Offshore Windfarm. The event, which will be held at Peterhead Football Club on 1 October 2024 is hosted by Cenos Offshore Windfarm Limited, a joint venture project between Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn. The project team will be on hand to answer questions and invite feedback on the proposals for associated infrastructure.

With a nominal capacity of up to 1400 MW, Cenos is a pioneering project that will provide renewable power to the UK grid and the possibility to electrify and decarbonise offshore oil and gas platforms in the UK North Sea. Delivered as part of Crown Estate Scotland’s Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing round, once complete, Cenos will be one of the world’s largest floating offshore windfarms, providing 5.5 TWh+ of renewable power to the UK grid each year.

Cenos will be located approximately 200km due east of shore from Aberdeen, and Peterhead is the closest coastline approximately 190km from the array boundary. The activity within Scottish Territorial Waters will consist of installation of a submarine export cable bundle from the windfarm site to landfall and associated rock deposits along partial lengths of the cable within the cable trench(es) to ensure complete burial and at cable crossing locations. The offshore export cables are proposed to make landfall close to Long Haven – between the villages of Boddam and Longhaven. Cenos Offshore Windfarm Limited is currently preparing consenting applications for the offshore aspects of the Project.

The onshore aspects for ongoing grid connection have already been consented through the NorthConnect HVDC Cable Planning Consent (Planning Application Reference Number APP/2015/1121 and APP/2018/1831). The onshore aspects are therefore not assessed as part of current consent applications, which relate solely to the offshore project (seaward of Mean Low Water Springs).

The pre-application consultation event will be held on 1 October 2024, at Balmoor Stadium, Peterhead Football Club, Balmoor Terrace, Peterhead, AB2 1EQ, in accordance with The Marine Licensing (Pre-Application Consultation) (Scotland) Regulations 2013.

The two sessions will be held on 1 October from 12-3pm and 4-7pm.

Christopher Pearson, Project Director for the Cenos Floating Offshore Windfarm said:

“Our Cenos project will play a critical role in speeding up the energy transition, strengthening Scotland and the UK’s position as a global leader in floating wind.

“Feedback from the local community is a vital component to assuring we develop our proposals effectively and in tune with all stakeholder requirements. That’s why we are inviting everyone with an interest in the project to come along and meet the team on 1 October and are keen to hear their views.

“For anyone unable to attend in person, all relevant information will also be posted on our website at https://cenosoffshorewind.com/“

Cenos and its partner project Green Volt (which has already been granted full onshore and offshore consent) will accelerate the delivery of renewable energy in the UK and kickstart the development of a robust local supply chain for floating offshore wind. These projects will also help to position the UK to supply the new and rapidly growing global floating offshore wind market, which is expected to reach 300 GW in the next 30 years.

Cenos, through the electrification and decarbonisation of participating oil and gas platforms will play a key role in helping deliver UK Government targets for offshore wind power capacity; specifically floating offshore wind. A key contributor to Scotland’s 2045 net zero targets, Cenos supports the North Sea Transition Deal aim to reduce offshore oil and gas sector emissions. Learn more about Cenos: www.cenosoffshorewind.com

Cenos Floating Offshore Windfarm | Cenos Floating Offshore Windfarm

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Preparing for Winter

Preparing for Winter – Week 4

Resilience Month Aberdeenshire Week Four: Preparing for Winter

Over the course of September, Aberdeenshire Council is encouraging residents to consider how they might respond to a household emergency or severe weather incident.

This week, we are focusing on the theme of ‘Preparing for Winter’.

Winter weather brings a number of challenges for Aberdeenshire, and not all just due to lower temperatures alone.

High winds, heavy rain, snow and ice can slow us down or even prevent us leaving our homes at their most severe.

That’s why making sure your home is ready for winter can help prevent unwanted surprises when the temperature drops, and now is a good time to be thinking about taking action.

To support this, North East Scotland College is running free sessions in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council to help you protect your home before the cold weather kicks in.

Sessions run from 6pm to 8pm but places are limited, so make sure to register as soon as you can. The next sessions are taking place as follows:

But should the worst happen, there is advice an out there to help you deal with an unexpected situation.

Scottish Water has prepared a video on what to do if you have a burst pipe

Taking extra care on the roads is essential when winter weather poses challenges and the RAC also has a range of advice around winter driving including how to reduce the chance of breaking down in cold weather, how to demist your windscreen in double-quick time, and what to do if your car won’t start in the cold.

Of course, keeping a check on Met Office weather warnings and SEPA flood alerts is just as important, especially when advice is not to travel at all.

With a little early preparation at your house and for your car, winter could be just a little easier to navigate this year.

Information on Resilience Month Aberdeenshire Week Four: Preparing for Winter, and others, can be found at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/resilience-month

Preparing for Winter Aberdeenshire winter graphic — Resilience Month Aberdeenshire Week Four: Preparing for Winter

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visit to Peterhead

MP has a visit to Peterhead Prison Museum

Live Life Aberdeenshire Unveils October Holiday Programme (2)

October Holiday Programme Live Life Aberdeenshire Unveils 2024

Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) has launched its October Holiday Programme, offering a diverse range of activities to keep children and teenagers engaged and active during the school break.

Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) has launched its October Holiday Programme, offering a diverse range of activities to keep children and teenagers engaged and active during the school break. Running across LLA sports centres and libraries throughout Aberdeenshire, the programme is packed with multi-sport sessions, outdoor adventures, creative workshops, discovery events and activities designed specifically for young people with additional support needs (ASN).

The October Holiday Programme offers something for everyone, providing an ideal mix of physical, creative and educational opportunities:-

Multi-Sports Sessions: Young people can enjoy football, basketball and other team sports. Encouraging physical activity, teamwork and skill-building.

Outdoor Activities: Featuring Balance to Pedal sessions, tubing, a Nordic half-day camp and guided walks. These activities promote exploring Aberdeenshire’s stunning natural environment while staying active.

Live Life Aberdeenshire Unveils October Holiday Programme

Creative and Discovery Sessions: LLA’s libraries will host workshops including Lego Club, reading activities, coding and discovery sessions. These are designed to foster creativity and provide enriching learning experiences.

ASN-Specific Sessions: The programme includes tailored activities for children and teenagers with additional support needs, ensuring all participants can enjoy and benefit from their holiday experience.

A special highlight will be Fishy Fun and sports activities from the Macduff Marine Aquarium and Active Schools. Children will have the chance to discover the incredible diversity of marine animals through hands-on activities and experiments. Meanwhile Active Schools and Partner Clubs will run sporting events, showcasing the various clubs available in and around Banff. In Banff, the library team will be running STEAMathon sessions at the Deveron Centre from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, featuring coding, science experiments and story time for P1/2 pupils.

Cllr Anne Stirling, chair of the council’s Communities Committee, said: “We are committed to providing inclusive and enriching opportunities for all young people and the October Holiday Programme is a perfect example of this. It’s especially encouraging to see activities tailored to support children with additional needs, ensuring they can participate and enjoy the programme just as much as everyone else.”

Live Life Aberdeenshire Unveils October Holiday Programme 2

Avril Nicol, Head of Service of Aberdeenshire Council’s Communities Wellbeing & Partnership, said: “The October Holiday Programme is not just about keeping kids entertained, but also about encouraging lifelong learning, physical activity, and social engagement. From sports to creative sessions, the programme ensures that young people can explore their interests, build confidence, and stay healthy in a fun and supportive environment.”

Parents can book places by logging in as their child’s account on our app or website or visiting the nearest Leisure Centre.

For more information and to view the full programme, visit www.livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk or download the Live Life Aberdeenshire app: http://bit.ly/LLA_app

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consultation on proposed changes to taxi charges

Aberdeenshire Council launch consultation on proposed changes to taxi charges

North-east residents are being encouraged to participate in a consultation on proposed new taxi charges.

Local authorities are required by law to review the charging scale and Aberdeenshire Council has consulted with the trade and developed a new scale for the public’s consideration.

The Aberdeenshire Council launch consultation on proposed changes to taxi charges is now live until October 4, 2024 and can be accessed at

https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/taxi-fare-scale-consultation

Among the proposed new charges, which would come into effect on December 1, 2024 are the following:

	Standard	Late Night	Festive Season
First 880 yards or part thereof	£3.00	£4.30	£4.60
Each additional 1/11^th part of a mile or part thereof	£0.22	£0.22	£0.33
Waiting time per 10 seconds	£0.11	£0.11	£0.11

Standard Rate

Applies at all times out with the Late Night and Festive Season Rates which are detailed below.

Late Night Rate

Applies (a) Mondays to Thursdays from 10pm to 6am the following day; (b) Weekends from 6pm on Friday to 6am on Monday; and (c) Public Holidays from 6am to 10pm these being the 3rd of January, Good Friday and May Day.

Festive Season Rate

Applies (a) between 6pm on the 24th of December until 6am on the 27th of December; (b) between 6pm on the 31st of December until 6am on the 3rd of January; and (c) Weekends in December from 6pm on the Friday until 6am on the Sunday.

Multiple passenger surcharge

In vehicles so licensed carrying more than four passengers, a surcharge of 50% of the above fares may be charged.

Booking Fee

£0.50

Airport booking fee

Taxi drivers may add any current charge incurred at airports when either dropping off or picking up passengers. Drivers must make passengers aware in advance that extra charges may be added to the fare. Booking fees are to be shown on the meter.

Unacceptable mess

Passengers are carried on the understanding that the driver may charge a passenger, creating an unacceptable mess in the taxi, a maximum of £100.

Anyone wishing to make representations regarding the proposals which apply to taxis only and not to private hire cars, may do so within one month by way of our online consultation or by writing to us at: Licensing, Taxi Fare Review, Viewmount, Arduthie Road, Stonehaven, AB39 2DQ.

Aberdeenshire Council launch consultation on proposed changes to taxi charges

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Peterhead Charity won award

Peterhead Charity won award 2024

Vote for Aden Country Park

Please Vote for Aden Country Park until 11.10

Following on from receiving the prestigious Green Flag Award, Vote for Aden Country Park Often referred to as “the jewel in the Buchan crown”

Calling on all Aden Country Park fans, we need your help!

Following on from receiving the prestigious Green Flag Award, we are hoping that with your help, that we can get Aden Country Park recognised as one of top 10 Green Flag Award sites in the UK.

To help us gain the People’s Choice Award all you need to do is simply click on the link: https://www.greenflagaward.org/park-summary/?park=1264 and press the “Vote for this site” button.

The voting closes at midday on Friday 11th October so if you can take 2 mins to register your vote, along with helping to spread the word, that would be much appreciated.

A Great Snowy Aden Country Park 17.01

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Saltoun Square

Red Ensign at Saltoun Square in Fraserburgh 3.09

Aberdeenshire Council raises the ‘Red Ensign’ at Saltoun Square in Fraserburgh

Aberdeenshire Council raises the ‘Red Ensign’ at Saltoun Square in Fraserburgh

The brave men and women who kept our island nation afloat during both World Wars have been remembered with the raising of the Red Ensign in Fraserburgh.

Aberdeenshire Council was honoured to raise the Red Ensign – affectionately known as the ‘Red Duster’ – at Fraserburgh’s Saltoun Square on Tuesday, September 3.

Merchant Navy Day is celebrated in September and also provides an opportunity to celebrate our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95% of the UK’s imports, including half the food we eat, plenty of the fuel we burn and virtually all the products and goods we take for granted.

Attending the poignant event were Fraserburgh and District councillors together with representatives from Fraserburgh’s Lifeboat, Mission, Sea Cadets, Harbour Commissioners, fishing organisations and The Salvation Army.

Gabriel Watt of Fraserburgh RBL Pipe Band played ahead of the flag raising while Sarah-Jane Urmston of the Salvation Army performed the Last Post.

Chair of the Banff and Buchan Area Committee, Cllr Doreen Mair, addressed those present before Councillor James Adams raised the flag.

Cllr Mair said: “In Fraserburgh, the importance of the sea to our community and the safety of those who sail on it is very much to the forefront of our thoughts and deeply embedded in our day to day lives. Merchant Navy Day was established to remember those who kept our nation afloat during two world wars ensuring that we had the supplies we needed to keep going.

“This corner of the coast was known as hellfire corner during the war because of the danger posed to merchant shipping from the Luftwaffe so remembering those brave seaman in the Broch is even more poignant and important as many came from this area.

“Too often they are the forgotten or invisible service. By raising the Red Ensign today we will ensure that at least – on this and the following days – they are remembered and saluted. This simple act will mean so much to the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, to those who have retired after a lifetime of service and to those who still go to sea now and face all its many perils.”