A childminder has been forced to dismantle an unauthorised shed and garden fence after losing an appeal against Aberdeenshire Council.
Marie Gibson, who erected the structures without permission at her home on Chapelbank, Burnett Street, blocked a communal parking space.
The “rogue shed” prompted complaints from neighbours about reduced parking availability in the village.
Despite Gibson’s claims that the enclosed space was essential for her childminding business, the local review body unanimously rejected her appeal.
An image of the fence erected around the shed
ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL
The council had initially refused permission for the structures in October, leading Gibson to challenge the decision.
Gibson had erected a 1.8 metre fence at the rear of her Chapelbank home, along with a new shed, without obtaining the required permission.
The childminder, who runs her business from the property, claimed she was unaware permission was needed.
She only sought consent after enforcement action was launched by the council.
According to Gibson, she closed off the parking space to “provide essential additional space” for her childminding business.
“It was a shock when a council official turned up at my door,” Gibson said.
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Map showing the location of the property with the shed
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She also insisted that “moving the fence affects no one else but makes a significant difference to the children in my care.”
In papers sent to Aberdeenshire Council, Gibson explained her position.
She said: “I started my childminding business in 2022 after purchasing the house at 6 Chapelbank.”
“This business offers much-needed childcare services in the community, addressing a significant local shortage.”
Gibson emphasised that the outdoor space created by repositioning the fence is used daily by the children, enhancing their learning experience.
“Both I and the families of the children I care for believe that my childcare service and the outside space greatly outweigh the conservation area regulations and any other planning concerns,” Gibson added.
She later insisted: “The removed space was underutilized, and its loss does not adversely impact parking availability or road safety.”
The shed encroaches on the carpark
ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL
Neighbours strongly objected to Gibson’s unauthorised structures.
Naomi Caie, who lives next door, complained that the shed makes the turning space in the car park “extremely little”.
“The car park has significantly become tighter and can now no longer accommodate 13 other cars, which in turn is forcing us to park on the main road more often than not,” she said.
Caroline Madden argued that this was worsening the limited parking situation in the village.
Helen Castles was equally concerned: “Parking is a problem in our village already!”
“It’s probably annoying direct neighbours with how it’s situated in the development parking site,” she added.
Despite Gibson’s appeal, Aberdeenshire Council’s local review body unanimously rejected her case.
The council had initially refused permission for the shed in October last year.
Motorists who use the carpark have complained about the shed’s impact
ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL
Gibson subsequently launched an appeal against that decision, arguing that the space she had enclosed was “underutilised”.
She maintained that its loss would not “adversely impact parking availability or road safety” in the village.
However, her arguments failed to convince the local review body.
The unanimous rejection means Gibson will now have to dismantle both the shed and fence.
This will restore the communal parking space that neighbours had complained was being blocked by what some described as “unsightly” additions.
