Plans for a multimillion-pound leisure and housing project will take another step forward next week.
The £115million Banchory-Devenick scheme includes the construction of 280 houses, the sale of which would cover the cost of converting the former Roman Catholic seminary at Blairs College into a 100-bedroom hotel.
The project, which includes a golf course – expected to be designed by Aberdeen’s Ryder Cup hero Paul Lawrie – was granted planning permission in principle more than two years ago.
Now councillors are being urged to back proposals for a further 44 homes, which would provide funding for a foot and cycle bridge across the River Dee.
The bridge was one of 60 conditions attached to the application when it was approved in 2010, and has since been granted permission by local members.
Although Aberdeenshire Council’s planning service has recommended the scheme for approval, concerns have been raised about the location of the houses and also about the impact they would have on the “sensitive” landscape, overlooking the River Dee.
The authority’s own planning policy team described the layout of the development as “disconnected” from Blairs village, and say it is unlikely residents would walk uphill to the local services. However, the director of inf- rastructure services Stephen Archer said he saw the houses as a “detached hamlet” which would prevent the bridge from being in an isolated area, potentially encouraging more people to use it.
He also suggested the development would help slow down traffic. In a report, Mr Archer adds: “It is important to highlight the proposed development currently under assessment, the previously consented bridge crossing and the original 280 dwelling houses approved, all originate from the need to refurbish the important listed buildings that form the core of the Blairs College estate.”
The planning service also argue that the site chosen by Fife developers Muir Group for the 44 homes would only be visible from a small number of locations in the River Dee valley.
Urging members of the council’s Kincardine and Mearns area committee to back the development on Tuesday, Mr Archer adds: “The proposal currently being assessed is seen to be the final piece in the puzzle that will allow tangible works to be implemented on site in order to rescue the buildings on site and hopefully secure a long-term use.”