Plans for a huge housing development in Aberdeenshire’s biggest town have been unveiled, just days after councillors raised concerns about school capacity levels.
Muir Homes have revealed plans to build 225 homes in Peterhead, near West Road, and could bring hundreds of children to the area.
Earlier this week, members of the Buchan area committee quizzed education officers on Aberdeenshire Council’s latest school roll predictions during discussions to rezone the town’s schools to address potential overcrowding.
Peterhead councillor Alan Gardiner asked how the forecasts were measured when so many new developments are being built.
Education officer Rachael Goldring told the committee: “Developments that have already taken place are included in the figures.
“Those that are not completed are only considered on the basis of when the applications have been received.”
Committee chairman Stuart Pratt added: “When figures are put together, all approved applications are taken into account.”
The Muir Homes proposals have not yet been lodged with the council as a formal planning application, so has not yet been considered for future school forecasts – meaning there is no clue as to whether schools in Peterhead could cope with the extra demand.
Latest figures show only two of Peterhead’s 10 primary schools are operating with the right number of children. Some are bursting at the seams, others have empty desks. A public consultation on school rezoning will be held at Peterhead Academy on October 2.
It is understood this new latest housing scheme would be built on land adjacent to Peterhead’s Asda supermarket, where the Muir Group previously unsuccessfully applied to build a Tesco store.
Muir Homes refused to comment on the plans yesterday.