Workers were given the day off by their bosses to stage a protest at a council HQ to put pressure on planners after their latest building project was left hanging in the balance.
North-east developers, New Forest Homes, refused to leave Aberdeenshire Council’s Stonehaven office until officials had signed a crucial piece of paperwork that would allow work to finally begin.
The directors said that despite securing verbal permission weeks ago, they were still waiting for written confirmation – a delay that had cost them “thousands of pounds” and even potential buyers.
Heather Mak, who runs the property development company with husband Eugene and business partner, Kenny Stuart, decided to take the direct action.
Yesterday, they took their entire workforce to stage a sit-in at the local authority’s Viewmount reception as they waited for someone to take their case on.
Mr and Mrs Mak took their five young children – Sophia, Ky, Tara, Tao and Shay – out of school to join the peaceful protest to show officials just how serious they were.
By 2pm, the directors left the council building with their signed planning permission in hand.
The local authority insisted the protest had “nothing to do” with securing the signature – and that the case had always been in the process of being dealt with.
A spokeswoman said: “There can be any number of matters that can lead to determination happening outwith the eight week period, including the high volume of applications received by the planning service, and the need to consult with relevant parties,” a council spokesman said.
“There is, of course, no guarantee that any individual application will gain approval in the first instance.
“In this particular case, however, the planning service has been able to approve the application and the approval was passed to the applicant today.”
New Forest Homes began redeveloping the B-listed Monymusk farm steading into three homes nine months ago.
Mrs Mak claimed they were £12,000 out of pocket after paying the council planning gains with the wait costing potential home owners who had hoped to move into the buildings in time for Christmas.
Verbal planning approval was issued in June, but the company could not go ahead with any work until the consent was issued from the local authority in writing.
Mrs Mak said she was told this would be sent out three weeks ago.
She added: “We needed that final notice and the bank needed that final notice. It all revolves around this piece of paper.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said that although it “sympathised with the applicant’s circumstances”, there is never any guarantee when confirmation will be issued.
“We have to stress the ‘eight week’ timescale for considering applications is a guideline and not a guarantee.”