Thousands of residents of a north-east community have joined forces to appeal for scenic sites in the town to be protected from future development.
Nearly 2,000 people in Stonehaven responded to a survey asking what areas should be safeguarded from the aspirations of developers.
At a public meeting last night 10 locations were identified as being of particular importance. The skyline and coastal ridges of Stonehaven were at the top of the agenda for residents, many of whom feared the impact of development to tourism and the local economy.
Sites worthy of protection include the Mains of Cowie, Carron Den, Braehead and land near Fetteresso cemetery and Dunnottar Woods.
A team of 50 volunteers distributed more than 4,000 surveys in Stonehaven and outlying settlements at the start of the month. An online survey was also available.
A total of 1,898 replies were collected, including 130 from senior school pupils, making up about 17% of the town’s population.
About 30 people attended the meeting of Stonehaven Community Council last night to hear the results.
Co-ordinator Ditta Neumann was keen to emphasise that residents had not ruled out development entirely and had taken a considered approach to the different sites.
Chairman David Fleming said: “The feeling of the community is that the thing which needs protecting on principle is the views that are seen from within the town and when you are coming into the town – the things that tell you that you are in Stonehaven.”
The community council was asked to identify areas of land which are suitable for development and sites to be protected, for inclusion in the upcoming local plan.
Participants in the survey were also asked their views on how local infrastructure would cope with an influx of housing.
An overhaul of Mackie Academy and an emphasis on the school as a community facility was identified as a major issue. Many residents also called for an increase in hotel provision and a second supermarket in the town.
One resident called for developers to be blocked from building at the northern and southern approaches to the town.
The captain of Stonehaven Golf Club, Harry Roulston, objected to the statement.
The club is proposing a land swap with developer Stewart Milne at Mains of Cowie, in the north of the town, which would see 500 homes built and an overhaul the golf course.
“If we do not get a major development at the golf course it is likely there might be no golf course in Stonehaven in five or 10 years,” he said.
Community councillor Ian Hunter said: “This is not just about the importance of tourism to the town.
“It is the effect that Stonehaven and the other scenic towns have to contribute to the north-east of Scotland.”
The community council will now respond to Aberdeenshire Council setting out the sites it wishes to be protected.