The boss of a construction firm has blasted councillors for blocking revised plans for a housing estate in Macduff.
Elgin-based Springfield Properties said the decision to reject proposals for an emergency access route at Law Hill had jeopardised £5million of Scottish Government funding for affordable housing.
The company had been told by Aberdeenshire Council officers to include a new road at its Golf View estate, which is under construction.
But its proposal was rejected by the council’s Banff and Buchan area committee after it was told the scheme did not comply with road-safety policy.
Councillors postponed making a decision on a separate plan to alter the layout of the site.
Springfield Properties managing director Innes Smith said he was “shocked” that the application had been refused.
“The Scottish Government is putting money in home-buyers’ pockets with the recently launched Help to Buy scheme, yet Aberdeenshire Council are obstructing development with a condition which wouldn’t apply across most of Scotland,” he said.
“This decision flies in the face of government initiatives to increase demand. In fact, by preventing supply at a time when demand is increasing, these actions could help to fuel another housing bubble.”
Mr Smith added: “Government funding for affordable homes must be used by March 2014.
“It beggars belief that a council would jeopardise funding on such a spurious issue.”
He claimed councillors were being given “poor advice from officials” and said the committee’s decision could affect the company’s future plans for investment in Macduff, as well as its proposals for 120 homes in Banff.
“We have put a lot of effort in to trying to deliver at Macduff but resistance to our proposals and inconsistent application of guidelines has dented our confidence in dealing with Aberdeenshire Council,” said Mr Smith.
Councillor John Cox, who chairs the Banff and Buchan area committee, said that, although Springfield’s bid for an emergency access road at Law Hill was thrown out, a separate plan to alter the layout of a 48-property estate at the same site was deferred for further consideration.
Springfield agents left the meeting before the second application was discussed.
Mr Cox said: “Had representatives from Springfield stayed to listen to the discussions between councillors and officers, they would have clearly heard that councillors were looking for progress, and that is why the application was deferred, to allow clarity on the roads issue.
“I certainly hope Springfield engages with officers so the matter can be brought back to committee at the earliest opportunity.”