A controversial bid to build 19 new houses in a Buchan village collapsed last night amid concerns over road safety.
The six-acre scheme proposed for Stuartfield, submitted by Fraserburgh-based housing firm Colaren Homes, was discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the Buchan Area Committee.
The development, on land next to Knock Street, could have created as many as 75 new homes over the next decade as part of a larger 23-acre masterplan programme for the village.
However, councillors supported the advice of planning officials and refused the proposal because the access road to the site was too narrow.
Last night, Buchan councillor Norman Smith said that the process had been an “unfortunate thing from the word go”.
He also criticised the planning service by saying that it was “creaking at the seams”.
Mr Smith’s sentiments were echoed by Councillor Jim Ingram who had previously welcomed the proposal.
The applicant will now have the option resubmit their plans – free of charge – with amended drawings to ensure that the road meets the planning service’s standards.
They had only failed to do so on the original application due to a mix-up with where boundaries were in the site.
Mr Ingram added: “We are fairly close to being able to resolve this – I think an agreement can be reached, but we just need a little bit of time. It’s acceptable all-round and I am perfectly in favor of housing applications.
“I’m just concerned that it rolls on for more than two cycles (of area committee meetings) because we’re talking about people’s jobs.”
Kevin O’Brien, the agent for the application, had suggested to members that the developer was willing to accept a planning limitation that would have prevented construction until the road issues were addressed if they were minded to approve the application.
Ultimately, this was not found to be competent by planners.
It is hoped that the new planning application will be given priority by local authority planners and be rushed through in time for the Buchan Area Committee in May.