Plans for 550 houses in the west of Aberdeen were backed by councillors yesterday – despite concerns over pressure on roads and access to public transport.
The application from Cala Homes for the site at Oldfold Farm, off North Deeside Road in Milltimber, was granted planning permission in principle at a meeting at the Town House.
Cala first unveiled the proposal in 2011, and carried out a series of consultation events allowing residents to have their say on what is a significant expansion for the area.
In addition to housing, the plans for the 118-acre site also incorporate a replacement Milltimber primary school, commercial space and a new junction at North Deeside Road.
At the time of the consultation, residents were worried about the ability of the local road network to cope with additional traffic generated from the extra homes.
Members of the council’s planning development management committee were told yesterday that no more than 275 properties should be occupied until after the completion of all sections of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route in 2018.
Roads officials also told the committee there was “no viable solution” for public transport access to the development.
Operators Stagecoach Bluebird and First Bus said diverting existing services into the new development would not be “realistic” and could prove “unattractive” to passengers due to extended journey times.
The committee was prepared to unanimously back the scheme, however a split emerged over plans for developer contributions towards the “core path” network of footways in the area.
A motion from Labour councillor Willie Young to put money towards the Deeside Way instead was defeated by an amendment from his party colleague and convener Ramsay Milne by 11-4.
Afterwards, Mike Naysmith, managing director for Cala Homes (North), said: “We are delighted that planning permission in principle has been granted for our Milltimber development.
“The development will embody our ethos of creating thriving new communities that incorporate luxury living in first class locations.”