Aberdeenshire councillors have backed plans for 35 new homes and a small park and ride in Oldmeldrum.
William Lippe Architects had lodged proposals for a residential development at Chapelpark on the eastern edge of
the town, with space for the park and ride.
The project was recommended for refusal by Aberdeenshire Council planners as the land is not allocated for development in
the local development plan.
But after a lengthy debate at yesterday’s meeting of the Formartine area committee at Ellon Community Campus, councillors voted to support the proposal and the transport benefits it will bring.
Councillor Alan Hendry said: “In my view we have a good development in the right place which would suit Oldmeldrum in particular. It would take traffic away from the centre of the village.”
The site, which borders the busy A947 Aberdeen to Banff commuter route, will include 35 homes as well as a bus stop, 40 car parking spaces and bike storage.
Committee chairman Rob Merson said: “We’ve gone through a local plan process and the facts have been put in front of councillors. To describe this as a transport interchange is a stretch of the imagination. It’s a bus lay-by.”
But Turriff member Anne Robertson responded that any public transport upgrades along the A947 would fit in with the newly agreed improvement strategy the council have in place for the route.
The scheme was backed by a majority vote and will now be considered by full council.