A major housing development in Aberdeen has been re-approved by councillors after it was brought back to the authority, following a landmark legal ruling involving the Queen’s cousin’s Aberdeenshire estate.
Plans were approved last September for the construction of 1,700 homes, shops, schools and a community centre at Rowett South in Bucksburn.
Councillors unanimously agreed to approve the proposals, which were tabled by Aberdeen University and Bon Accord Land Promotion, subject to a number of conditions.
But now, the report will have to return to the planning, development, and management committee next Thursday.
The Duke of Fife – the landowner behind the Chapelton of Elsick development near Newtonhill – went to the Court of Session earlier this year, challenging an £8million developer contribution bill to the strategic transport fund.
He argued the cash demand was unlawful, and the court upheld his claim, prior to reducing the bill to just £287,000.
And yesterday, in the aftermath of the ruling, the Rowett application was brought back to the city’s planning committee for a further decision.
Councillors unanimously agreed to the proposal, subject to the applicant entering into a legal agreement with the council to secure 25% affordable housing on site and financial contributions towards a traveller halting site, schools and community centres.