A developer has been ordered to build the children’s play park it promised – or face legal action.
Aberdeenshire Council has issued Avant Homes with two enforcement notices over its alleged inaction with the Kingseat Hospital development in Newmachar.
The former psychiatric facility was closed in 1999 before it was taken over by the developer, which built 300 homes at the site.
However the firm has been accused of failing to provide a swing park which was part of the original agreement, as well as neglecting the land it owns.
Last month it emerged Avant had now sold the land to ZTR Investments, which owns some of the other hospital buildings. But this coincided with planning officers taking action against the developer over alleged failings.
The council has now confirmed Avant has until January to clear materials from the site and construct the playground. If the company fails to take action, the authority has said it would potentially have to carry out the work itself and recoup the costs, and could also report Avant to the procurator fiscal for alleged non-compliance.
East Garioch councillor Martin Ford has been calling for progress on the site for months. He said: “There is a new determination to use the powers the council has to try to force the site owner to undertake further work stipulated by the permissions granted and agreements signed. That has got to be very welcome.”
Avant Homes said talks were ongoing with the council.
