Gravitate North East (GNE) have submitted two separate proposals regarding the management and development of part of Pitfichie Hill, currently owned and managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS).
- Community Asset Transfer Request to Forestry & Land Scotland to lease 1.24 hectares of land at Pitfichie Hill, Monymusk
- This is to allow development of new Mountain Bike Trails and a new Car Park, whilst also taking over day to day management of the existing trails.
- Supporting Documents as held by FLS – https://forestryandland.gov.scot/living-and-working/communities/transfer-land-and-buildings-to-your-community/current-requests/pitfichie-hill-bike-trails-and-car-park
- Deadline for Public Comments is Friday 18th September 2026
- Planning Application APP/2026/1295 – Formation of Bike Trails, Car Park, Toilet and Associated Works
- Application to Aberdeenshire Council Planning Department for the creation of additional mountain bike trails, associated access infrastructure and visitor facilities within Pitfichie Forest, Aberdeenshire.
- Planning Application Link on the Council’s Planning Portal –https://upa.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=TIVJIQCAL0300&activeTab=summary
- Deadline for Public Comments is Wednesday 23rd September 2026
It is recognised that some in the local community have limited to no access to the online material hosted in the links above.
Consequently, to allow all in the community to have the chance to make an informed view (if desired), a special meeting facilitated by the Community Council will be held on Monday 7th September 2026 in Monymusk Hall from 7pm to 9pm.
Attendees will have the ability to see print outs of the supporting material submitted by the developer, as well as see a short presentation by them.
Attendees will be given the chance to ask questions (these need to be submitted in writing, and will be read out anonymously). Questions to be raised can also be sent in advance of the meeting to the Secretary – secretarycmmcc@gmail.com.
Forestry and Land Scotland will also give a brief presentation on what the CATS scheme is via a video call, and will also be available to answer questions.
Full Agenda is below, note though that although the agenda order is fixed the timings may flex depending on how things go.
MEETING AGENDA/TIMINGS
| 19:00 | Doors Open |
| 19:00-19:30 | Public Viewing of Supporting Documentation for both Applications |
| 19:30-19:45 | Brief Statement from Community Council Chair on Meeting Format, Rules and Community Council Role in these applications |
| 19:45-20:00 | FLS presentation and Q&A (subject to working video call) |
| 20:00-20:30 | GNE Presentation and Q&A |
| 20:30-21:00 | General Discussion |
| 21:00 | Meeting Close |
Meeting Venue – What3Words location = https://w3w.co/miracles.detained.tabs
