Aberdeen City Council’s planning committee yesterday backed proposals to build houses on greenbelt land – sparking warnings a dangerous precedent had been set for future development of protected areas.
Councillors went against the recommendation of their own officials to vote through an application for a site at North Deeside Road, opposite the International School of Aberdeen.
The proposal from Dr George Stevenson for three five-bedroom detached houses was approved by 10-5, despite advice from a senior planning official that it should not be supported.
Daniel Lewis told the committee the site lay within the council’s designated green space network and the Pitfodels Conservation Area.
A similar application for three houses at Middleton Lodge, off Pitfodels Station Road, was rejected in March due to the green belt policy.
However, Lower Deeside councillor Tauqeer Malik moved to approve the plans. He argued that the site in question was in a “well established residential area”.
“It is wasteland – the three houses would lift the area,” he added.
The Labour councillor was seconded by Conservative Ross Thomson, who said it was a “quality design” which would “fit in well” with neighbouring properties.
He added: “It will genuinely be in keeping with the type of large residential developments nearby, and I think it is to be welcomed.”
Committee convener Ramsay Milne, however, said he could not support the application.
He said: “It has been made abundantly clear that this does not meet our green belt policy or our local development plans.”
Liberal Democrat Martin Greig described the application as “unprincipled and opportunistic”.
He added: “This puts at risk the whole of our planning system.
“I am very concerned about setting a precedent, that’s a very dangerous indication to give to developers.”
The plans were approved subject to conditions set by roads officials and planners, including the construction of a wider access road.
A subsequent application for five terraced houses nearby at Airyhall House, Craigton Road, from Bancon Developments Ltd, which was also recommended for refusal was blocked by the committee.