A development of 500 homes and a supermarket would “suck the heart out” of an Aberdeenshire town, residents claimed last night.
Locals had their say and developers made their case for the Mill of Forest development, on the outskirts of Stonehaven, last night in Mackie Academy.
It took place before a similar pre-determination hearing on the proposals by the FM Group for a 50-bedroom hotel, restaurant and supermarket on the Ury Estate.
And locals voiced fears that the Mill of Forest site – which is not allocated in the 2012 or emerging 2016 local development plan – would be detrimental to businesses in Stonehaven town centre.
Concerns were also raised about its impact on local schools already packed – namely Dunnottar Primary and Mackie.
Councillors rejected a 1,500-home development at the site in 2014.
Drum Property Group and Barratt North Scotland are behind the plans, which would include 125 affordable homes, a business park, a large supermarket and a new bridge across the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee road.
Speaking at the meeting local man, Malcolm Ritchie, said: “I am not against small, appropriate development in the right place. I am against a development such as the one proposed here which I believe would effectively be tearing the heart out of Stonehaven.
“This is an application that has been turned down in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.
“It is not an extension to Stonehaven but rather a new town on the edge of Stonehaven. It would suck the heart out of Stonehaven.”
Local man Douglas Samways said the development could impact on the town centre businesses, adding: “If this development is passed, five years on what is the town going to be like?”
One Stonehaven woman said: “There is a downturn in the economy, 65,000 people who have been made redundant in the oil industry. A lot of people will have to give up their homes, not buy new ones.”
The developer has offered to make financial contributions towards education and health facilities in Stonehaven if given planning approval.
Spokesman for Barratt Homes, Tommy Hart, said: “We recognise houses need to be affordable to the majority not the minority. 25% of homes will be affordable. It is clear there has been a shortfall of affordable houses in the area.”
He added there were “clear, sustainable and transport advantages to the development”.
The Kincardine and Mearns area committee will decide whether or not to back the application at a future date, before it is passed on to full council.
