A housing firm has asked Aberdeenshire Council to waive conditions meaning that it would have to build a bus stop and play park for some residents at a new 100-home development.
Northwoods Homes stressed that it did not wish to “skirt its obligations” but argued that there was no need for the amenities at a section of the site at Mintlaw as there are others nearby.
But concerns have been raised that the nearest bus stop would be more than half-a-mile away for some, and that children would have to cross the A952 Toll of Birness to Fraserbrugh road to reach the nearest playground.
The application agent, Gary Purves, explained that Northwoods Housing wanted the conditions removed from plans for its next phase of construction.
Mr Purves said: “We’re not trying to skirt our obligations but we want to find the best solution.
“Play equipment would be provided in phase three as well as green spaces and paths.
“The only way of providing a bus stop without devastating the trees is to build it near the roundabout.”
But Aberdeenshire Council planning officers argued that, by the time of phase three, there would be around 200 houses with children who have nowhere to play without crossing a road.
Councillor Jim Ingram proposed the group defer making a decision until December when more information may be known.
