Jamie Ross
A massive housing development on the periphery of a north-east town has taken a major step forward.
The first residents of the Kirkton Heights scheme on the edge of Fraserburgh moved into their new homes last night – a decade after the 600 home scheme was first conceived.
Ann Clark, one of the first residents to be given the keys to her new house, said: “It feels really good to be moving in to our new home.
“It is nice to watch and see how everything is developing. The location, the high quality of the development, and the views we will have towards the sea is what really sold it for us.”
Her new neighbours, Jonathan Garden and Rachel Gordon, added: “This is a very exciting day for us.
“With this being our first time buying a new-build property we have been delighted with the process and we can’t wait to be fully moved in.”
Newlyweds Josh and Rachel Williamson are also moving into the development.
“We are looking forward to starting our married life at Kirkton Heights,” they said.
The huge scheme by Colaren Homes was approved by Aberdeenshire Council last year.
But a bizarre row broke out afterwards between local groups and councillors over the naming of streets within the development.
Both Colaren Homes and former councillor Ian Tait objected to proposals put forward by the community council that all of the streets be named after lighthouses.
A compromise was only reached when one street was instead named after former college principal Jim Crawford.
The names agreed were Crawford Avenue, Bressay Lane, Cromarty Crescent, Kinnaird Head Gardens, Fair Isle Drive, Covesea Crescent and Rattray Head Walk.
The name Buchan Ness Avenue, designated after a beacon in nearby Peterhead, was dropped.
Gary Purves, from the developers, said: “After years of planning and significant investment, this is a landmark day for the Kirkton Heights development.
“We are delighted to welcome the first residents…and other purchasers are due to take up residence in the coming months.
“Everyone at Colaren Homes is excited to help them all settle in.”
