Asbestos threat shuts Bellwood woodland car park

• “Small pieces of of asbestos” found at car park near popular woodland

• Car park is near site of former Aboyne landfill

The privately-owned land at Bellwood near Aboyne is on the site of the former Aboyne landfill tip on the outskirts of the town.

Councillor Peter Argyle, the chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee and a local councillor, said: “It appears that small pieces of asbestos have appeared on the site. We will work carefully with SEPA and environmental health to make sure that whatever problem there is there is put right.”

Ian Robertson, Aberdeenshire Council’s head of protective services and waste management, said: “Following an inspection of the area it became clear that some waste materials from the former landfill had been exposed. The owners of the land have been advised to prevent access to the area and to erect warning signs. This will be followed by remedial works to resolve the issue.”