‘Flawed’ plan to shape shire’s future adopted

A major planning blueprint for Aberdeenshire – paving the way for 20,000 new homes – was voted through yesterday, despite concerns about “flawed” changes to the document.

Elected members agreed to back the new local development plan 54-6 after a lengthy debate at the local authority’s headquarters, Woodhill House.

The decision came on the day the future of Stonehaven’s Ury Estate – where a major golf and housing development was planned – was secured after an Aberdeenshire farmer bought it.

Thousands of homes can now be built in the north-east, paving the way for major developments – including a £1billion new town planned at Elsick, near Newtonhill – over the next 20 years.

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