A group of north-east residents have accused the RAF of trying to “bully” them into reopening their residential street.
The Gordon Avenue area of Boddam, near Peterhead, was owned by the air force when the Ministry of Defence had a large presence in Buchan.
The RAF has since scaled-down its operations in the area and the land was sold off for housing a decade ago.
Now homeowners in the Sheilings area of Boddam have launched a petition to try to stop the RAF from returning to tear down bollards at Gordon Avenue.
Resident Stan Smith, who started the petition, said: “The home owners are concerned that their houses will be devalued due to no longer being a cul-de-sac and as the road is partially owned by the homeowners they would have to foot the bill for the
damage to the road due to the excess traffic using it.
“Residents are also worried about increased noise and air pollution and the safety of children.”
Mr Smith conceded that the title deeds for the neighbouring properties do state the road should be open for all residents, but added “none of the house owners or surrounding properties want the road open”.
“Historically the road has never been open to the public,” he added.
“The opening of the road would create a danger to the public due to it being unsuitable.”
But the Ministry of Defence (MoD) hit back at the residents’ claims.
A spokeswoman said: “Defence Estates, now the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, sold a building plot in Gordon Avenue, Boddam in 2007 and the purchaser built a new detached house shortly thereafter with fencing being erected around the plot while the house was being constructed.”
She said that a condition of the sale of the land – “clearly listed in a deed of conditions” – was that the road be kept open at all times.
“The road in question remains blocked some five years after the house was completed, this is in clear violation of the deed of conditions and also in breach of the planning consent granted by the council.”
The MoD has now launched legal enforcement action to reopen the route.
Rows over road management usually fall under the local authority’s remit, however last night a spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council confirmed it was private matter.
Roads chief Philip McKay said: “Gordon Avenue, Gordon Close and the southern section of Gordon Avenue (known as The
Sheilings) are all under private ownership and control and are not the responsibility of Aberdeenshire Council.”