The team behind plans to turn a former airbase into a village has warned the project may not get off the ground if a “compromise” cannot be reached with Aberdeenshire Council.
Carnegie Base Services visualises turning the former RAF Edzell site into a settlement of 1,000 homes, with community facilities and shops.
The firm was granted permission to build the first 300 houses of the £250million development, known as Newesk, in April 2013.
But progress has stalled as the developer has been unable to reach an agreement about the planning conditions that were attached to the application by council officials regarding affordable housing and contributions to education and health provisions in the area.
Yesterday, members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Kincardine and Mearns area committee were urged by planning bosses to withdraw their consent for the scheme as the planning conditions had not been met.
But Roger Laird, a senior consultant for the developer’s agent, Archial Planning, asked councillors to allow more time for negotiations – and warned that without a bit of leeway the project may have to be abandoned.
He told the committee that Carnegie Base Services was facing “significant costs” for the infrastructure to service the base, such as upgrading the private sewage system used by the local community.
He said: “All the costs of this are required to occur at the outset of the development. This is a significant burden on the project given the investment required before any return.
“There are concerns that with the planning terms, the project may not be viable.”
Mr Laird said that due to the costs, his clients were keen to compromise by lowering the number of affordable houses and the amount of financial contributions required for other facilities.
Planning officer Neil Mair told councillors “various attempts” had been made to resolve the issues, but to no avail.
Mearns councillor George Carr said he wanted the project to move forward, adding: “We see this as an exciting opportunity for development.
“I think we need to see greater cooperation.”
The developer was given three months to get back round the table and strike a deal with council officers.