North-east health chiefs have joined the armed forces in objecting to a huge 550-home development amid noise concerns.
Earlier this year the Ministry of Defence (MoD) raised concerns that Ashfield Land’s plans for a housing development and town centre – including a cinema, a hotel and shops – at Blackdog was too close to its rifle range.
The military claim the £150million development would create a “sensitive environment” not suited to its “live firing and demolitions” activities.
And now Aberdeenshire Council’s environmental health service has joined the MoD by recommending councillors refuse the housing element of the development, fearing the noise issues would harm the peace and quiet of residents’ gardens.
The MoD owns Blackdog Rifle Range, which is used by a number of different military groups, including the local reserve forces and military police, for training.
Earlier this year a noise impact assessment carried out by CSP Acoustics concluded a proposed “noise barrier” near the development could help to overcome any problems.
However the council report states: “The environmental health service recommends refusal of this application owing to a lack of information but also, mainly because of the necessity for noise mitigation measures to achieve satisfactory internal noise limits and the detrimental impact of noise on the enjoyment of the use of garden ground.”
It adds that the introduction of a “noise barrier” in part of the site would “not negate the need” for residents of the homes to depend on closed windows to keep noise levels low.
The Blackdog development is being considered across two applications for planning permission in principle – one for the housing and another for the town centre.
The environmental health department has not raised concerns about the latter application.
More recent correspondence from the MoD claims the developer has failed “to fully address the issue of noise”.
Ashfield Land did not wish to comment on the report at this stage.
However, previously the developer has argued there are “not any significant issues with regards to the rifle range”.
The Blackdog Rifle Range is made up of 12 and six-lane gallery ranges and is used for military training.
Other sources of potential noise pollution identified include the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road and passing aircraft.
