Plans to create 35 new homes in a tiny north-east village have collapsed over road safety fears.
Development firm Eddie Hosie Property had tabled a proposal to build the houses in the centre of New Deer.
The Cuminestown-based company wanted to create a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom properties on land next to Fordyce Terrace, which had the potential to increase the population of the village by nearly 20%.
But the firm was sent back to the drawing board yesterday by members of the Buchan area committee who agreed that the cul-de-sac design of the development would create a logistical nightmare for motorists.
Council planner Alan Davidson said the planning service itself had “no problem” with the design of the houses.
“The issue here is the roads. It’s not a desirable thing,” he added.
“It’s three cul-de-sacs – drivers of waste vehicles or delivery trucks will have to turn on a footpath to exit the site.”
Councillors agreed unanimously that the application should be refused.
Councillor Jim Ingram said: “I’m fully in favour of development taking place in this village. I believe we have to sustain the businesses and the local schools.
“But we really are in danger of getting the worst for the community.
“I’ve got genuine concerns about roads and I’m aware that people park where they shouldn’t.”
Ryan Urquhart, agent for the developer, said he was “disappointed” by the decision.
He claimed that nothing had been mentioned about safety during the pre-application phase.
“The only comment we had was that a secondary emergency access should be supplied,” he said.
“At no point was there any issues raised about the layout, so I was a bit disappointed when comments were made.”
Two objections were also raised by the local community about too many new homes being built in the village – which is home to about 670 people – and pedestrian access.