Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Sauchen villagers given hope in fight against dozens of new homes

The site of the new homes in Sauchen.

Villagers have been thrown a lifeline in their fight against dozens of new homes being built in their community.

Kirkwood Homes is in the midst of creating a major development in Sauchen, aiming to extend the settlement by 99 properties in total.

More than 20 of the homes have already been built, and the firm is in the process of constructing a second phase of 27.

Bosses have now lodged a proposal for the final phalanx of 49 properties.

But they will have a battle on their hands to get permission to complete the project.

Villagers have list of concerns

Cluny, Midmar and Monymusk Community Council has opposed the development from the outset.

Members’ objections have been swept aside in the past, with Aberdeenshire Council rubber-stamping the opening phases of the scheme.

Now, however, they have managed to delay any decision on the third – and largest – application.

After hearing their concerns, councillors on the Garioch Area Committee have agreed to carry out a site visit before making a decision.

‘Genuine concerns’ over new Sauchen homes

The community council has objected to the application based on flooding risks, potential sewer flooding and the “unsuitable” road and pavement layout.

Speaking after the meeting, chairman Richard Fyffe said the group was “delighted” that the site visit had been agreed.

He reckons it will help to bring the issues raised to light.

He said: “It is really important as there have been so many objections and people have genuine concerns.

“We believe the access through Cluny Meadows is not fit for purpose and there is also the safety aspect of it.”

Mr Fyffe added that it was “critical” that the council and developer get the proposal right.

Council planners in favour of scheme

The proposed 49 homes would include a mix of two to six-bedroom properties.

Prior to Tuesday’s meeting the application had received 40 objections and one letter of support.

Objectors had raised concerns about flooding, loss of open space, impact on local amenities and road safety while the letter of support said the development would bring “much needed” affordable housing to the area.

Aberdeenshire Council planners had recommended the application be approved.

They said that the layout of the site was “virtually the same” as what had previously been approved but noted some minor changes had been made.

Councillor Iris Walker said seeing the issues raised by objectors in person would better enable the committee to come to a decision.

She added that it was also “essential” to see how the proposed development would fit with the existing phases.

Members voted nine to five for the visit.

Inverurie Town Hall: Building has been at the heart of the community since 1862