A controversial plan to build 19 new houses in a Buchan village has been backed by a local councillor – despite fears it will deprive residents of recreational land.
The six-acre scheme proposal for Stuartfield, submitted by Fraserburgh-based housing firm Colaren Homes, is currently being considered by local authority planners.
It is hoped the development, on land next to Knock Street, will create 75 new homes over the next decade.
It is part of a larger 23-acre masterplan programme for the village.
Buchan councillor Jim Ingram has welcomed the proposal, saying it would safeguard jobs.
“I am in favour of growth. Villages have got to grow, otherwise they slowly die,” Mr Ingram said.
“We are seeing that, in particular, with Old Deer, which has lost most of its businesses now.
“There are still one or two left, but the pub is closed, the shop is closed, there’s no post office, the bank is gone and even the school is gone. Places have got to be allowed to grow if they are to continue to survive.”
The site in question – currently disused farmland – was set aside for recreational and sports facilities in the village’s 2012 development plan.
This was highlighted by one resident who responded to a consultation on the scheme on Aberdeenshire Council’s website, adding: “As the developer keeps building more and more houses, we will eventually, come time, require this land for community use as Stuartfield will have a high population.”
The architect heading the plan last night insisted he and the developers were complying with policy on the site.
Kevin O’Brien said: “We have held pre-application discussions with senior planning officers and discussed all the pertinent issues, in particular compliance with the approved masterplan.”
In his design statement, submitted with the plan, he said discussions had taken place with a representative of the local pleasure park committee.
“These discussions are ongoing,” he added.