The younger generation at Ellon may be recruited in a battle to save a part of the community’s past and shape the future of the fast-expanding town.
The Prince’s Foundation helped draw up plans for Castle Meadow, overlooking the ruins of Ellon Castle.
Protesters claim the mock Victorian and Georgian plans from the trust and architecture school founded by the Prince of Wales would destroy not just wildlife habitat but one of the most prominent landscapes in the town.
Developers Scotia Homes and Barratt East Scotland want to build 254 homes on the site.
Knockothie Residents Committee chairman Tim Canning said overwhelming community opposition to the scale of development had been shown by 164 letters of objection being sent to Aberdeenshire Council while only four supported the scheme.
“The supposed design may be traditional but that cannot mask overdevelopment, said Mr Canning, of Crimond Drive.
“The Prince of Wales is known for his architectural concerns, but I would have expected a more sensible approach to such a sensitive and important site as this.
“Given Aberdeenshire Council now plans to relocate Ellon Academy, it would seem more appropriate to develop that brownfield area close to the town centre rather than destroying a landmark and much-loved green area of Ellon.
“This has been described as an important part in creating a model community for future generations, and I think we may need to ask the younger generation for their views,” he added.
Mr Canning said the action group would like to see senior pupils asked to give their reaction to the castle grounds project.
“By the time this becomes reality they will be among the town’s voters. I think they should be given a say on their community’s future.”
Several children have already added their objections in letters to planners, asking that the site and surrounding woods that are homes to everything from red squirrels to bats should be preserved.
Mr Canning said he was confident that councillors would throw out the development scheme, despite the Prince’s Foundation involvement, when the planning application is debated early next year.
Under the Castle Meadow scheme, the project could lead to the historic Ellon Castle gardens, near the present academy, being restored and opened to the public.
Mr Canning said: “A traditional style development on the existing academy site would not only fit in with the town, but have immediate access to a restored castle garden area and the nearby Castle Meadow if it were retained as parkland.”