Live Consultations
In order to effectively represent our community we must be proactive in consulting and ﾠengaging with local residents. This section contains links to surveys currently being conducted by Stonehaven & District Community Council, as well as links to important consultations from Aberdeenshire Council.
If you're looking for details of consultations on energy infrastructure – you can find them here: Energy Projects.
SEPA Flood Risk Management Phase 1 Consultation
People across Scotland are being asked to help inform future plans by sharing their experiences of flooding.
People across Scotland are being invited to share their experiences of local flooding issues to help inform how flood risk is managed in their communities, as work continues on Scotland’s next Flood Risk Management Plans.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) public consultation, launched on Wednesday 21st January, focuses on finding out about local flooding concerns in areas identified as having the highest flood risk. The feedback will help inform Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP) covering 2028 to 2034, which will set out how Scotland reduces the impacts of flooding and builds resilience for the future.
This is your opportunity to tell us your flooding issues and priorities within Potentially Vulnerable Areas, to help shape these plans. Potentially Vulnerable Areas were updated following consultation in 2024. We are also seeking information from you on projects and initiatives that are already happening to help manage flooding in Potentially Vulnerable Areas.
This is a community-focussed consultation – your views matter – please take this opportunity to have your say. You can take part as a member of the public, business, or community group. The consultation will be open from 21 January until 22 April 2026.
How to take part
Start the Phase 1 survey by clicking on the link below. Answering the questions should take about 5 minutes, although exploring the displayed information may take you longer. consultation.sepa.org.uk/evidence-and-flooding/frmp-phase-1-consultation/
Beach Toilets Consultation
Did you know... there's no legal requirement for councils to provide public toilets?
Stonehaven & District Community Council are seeking your views on the availability of public toilets in Stonehaven. Your feedback will inform our feasibility study into the possibility of reopening the Beach Toilets.
Click on the link below to take part:
Stonehaven's mothballed Beach Toilets Town Centre Health Check Consultation
*** THIS SURVEY CLOSED ON FRIDAY 10 OCTOBER 2025 ***
This autumn, Aberdeenshire Council is once again undertaking Town Centre Health Checks across the region. The Health Check includes a public survey, business survey, desktop research and a site visit.
These checks are an important way of assessing the vitality, resilience and performance of town centres over time, with the results used to create strategies for improvements and to inform vital policy documents and funding applications.
Achieving a strong understanding of the unique characteristics of Stonehaven is essential to ensure that we can continue to thrive and adapt to change.
The results of last year's survey can be viewed here: Stonehaven Town Centre Health Check 2024
The results of this year's Autumn 2025 survey should be published in January 2026.
Map of Stonehaven Town Centre Boundary Health & Social Care Consultation
***THIS CONSULTATION CLOSED ON SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER 2025***
The Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) has developed a draft Strategic Plan for 2025–2035, setting out their vision, priorities, and ambitions for the next ten years and they would like to know what you think.
They know that demand for the services increasing and that how they deliver those services is changing. The plan is based on two main priorities:
1. Prevention and early intervention - how they will support you and your community to stay healthy for longer.
2. Health and social care services – ensuring they are supporting those with the greatest need in our community.
So, do you think they have the right priorities?
Community Hospital Consultation
***THIS SURVEY CLOSED ON SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2025.***
https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/community-hospitals-in-aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire Health & Social Care Partnership are currently undertaking a review of Community Hospitals to inform how they might be used in the future, to ensure that people across Aberdeenshire can access the treatment and care that they need.
They want to hear from our community to understand how we use Kincardine Community Hospital, and what our experiences are. They will be holding a drop-in session, and are encouraging as many people as possible go along and chat to their team at:
Stonehaven Community Centre
Thursday 6 November, 3.00-7.00pm
Details of Stonehaven's Consultation SDCC Survey on Electricity Infrastructure Proposals
SDCC conducted an online survey in January 2025, to gauge opinions on the proposed SSEN Transmission infrastructure including the building of a substation in Fetteresso Woods at Hurlie, and the construction of more than 100km of pylons, up to 65m in height, for the Kintore–Tealing 400kV Overhead Line connection.
The full results of the survey, and the presentation from the extra meeting held on Tuesday 21 January can be found here:
Opinions of the proposed plans Closed Consultations
This section contains details of previous surveys, and those consultations currently being analysed for their final report.
Grit Bin Adoption Survey
***THIS SURVEY CLOSED ON 11 NOVEMBER 2025***
UPDATE:
Following the completion our feasibility study, and discussion at our November meeting, Stonehaven & District Community Council have decided against adopting some of the grit bins being removed by Aberdeenshire Council.
We looked at the potential costs involved, how we might store and distribute the grit, and reached the conclusion that we would be unable to sustain the provision of grit bins as a community council.
Whilst our Facebook posts on grit bins generated a lot of interest, we only received 48 responses to our survey. The responses included:
- 93% of respondents had used a grit bin in Stonehaven
- 84% of respondents had used the grit bins frequently through most winters
- 21% of respondents were interested in finding out more about the Snow Warden Scheme (31% responded that they might be interested).
- Several mentions of grit bins in use not appearing on the map
Aberdeenshire Council operate a Snow Warden Scheme which allows communities to become more proactive in the winter treatment of their streets/housing estate receives. Snow warden groups will continue to receive grit (in 28 litre storage tubs) even if nearby bins are removed, and the group can then manage the use of the grit that has been provided to them. Volunteers will also be issued with PPE and the equipment necessary to carry out the intended tasks.
We appreciate that this scheme won’t work for everyone, but SDCC are encouraging anyone who might be interested in volunteering for the scheme, whether as part of an existing voluntary group, or as an informal group of neighbour or friends (minimum of two separate addresses), to visit the link below for more information:
Click here for more details on how to join: Aberdeenshire Council's Volunteer Snow Warden Scheme
Grit Bin Map – red dots indicate the bins which will be removed Aberdeen Rapid Transit
***THIS CONSULTATION CLOSED ON FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2025***
ART is a proposed Bus Rapid Transit system that aims to transform public transport across the Aberdeen City Region. With two cross-city routes and Mobility Hubs at each terminus point, ART would connect major destinations in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The project seeks to expand travel choices for residents and visitors by offering faster, more reliable, and frequent services, alongside comfortable zero-emission vehicles, safe and accessible waiting areas, and seamless integration with other transport and active travel networks.
The nearest terminus is proposed for Portlethen – would you use it?
Aberdeen City Council are currently seeking your views on the outcomes of the Strategic Business Case for ART - this survey can be found here and is live until 7th November 2025.
More details on the proposals available here: Aberdeen Rapid Transit (ART)
Map of proposed ART routes *THIS CONSULTATION CLOSED ON FRIDAY 2 JANUARY 2026*
SDCC discussed this agenda item in our December 2025 meeting, and Community Councillors were in support of the proposals.
PEDEX Crossing - Bridge of Cowie, Stonehaven
Aberdeenshire Council has today (19 December) opened a public consultation for a proposed PEDEX crossing – at the B979 Bridge of Cowie, Stonehaven.
The consultation (with detailed images) is available here: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/roads/traffic-management/traffic-measures and is open until Friday 2nd January 2026.
For more information on PEDEX crossings visit: Aberdeenshire Council Pedestrian Crossings Manual
image of proposed PEDEX crossing notification
image of proposed PEDEX crossing location
image of detail of proposed PEDEX crossing
Stonehaven Library Consultation
*** Can't make the sessions in person? You can email your comments to: stonehaven.library@aberdeenshire.gov.uk ***
In line with Aberdeenshire Council’s policy of moving away from standalone libraries, Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) is progressing work to address the remaining standalone library sites. As part of this, the service is undertaking engagement with library users on proposed changes.
Working collaboratively with other council services, LLA have identified viable options to relocate the current Stonehaven Library provision to Viewmount. This move would bring the library into a shared facility alongside a range of other council services, fully aligning with council policy on service co‑location.
To support this engagement, LLA will be working with Art by Jax, who has previously supported place‑based planning activities in Turriff and facilitated engagement with active library users linked to the co-location of service provision in Turriff. LLA will begin engagement with Stonehaven Library users on the dates below. All active library users will receive direct communication via our CRM system. In addition, library staff will speak with users in person ahead of the sessions, and the Area Office will ensure that local community councils are informed. These sessions will gather views on the proposed relocation and explore how the service can continue to evolve to meet the needs of users and the wider community.
Following the engagement, a report summarising user feedback will be produced. A formal report and recommendations will then be presented to the Area Committee, consistent with the approach taken for previous library changes.
Engagement Sessions: All sessions will take place at Stonehaven Library
📍Tuesday 27 January: 11:30am–1:00pm or 4:00pm–5:30pm
📍 Saturday 31 January: 11:30am–1:00pm
Stonehaven Library