Controversial plans for 66 homes in an Aberdeenshire village have been backed despite flooding fears from councillors and residents.
Barratt North Scotland’s proposals for Bogbeth Road in Kemnay, were endorsed by Aberdeenshire Council’s Garioch area committee even though the scheme met with 44 objections.
However, local councillors Sheena Lonchay and Allison Grant moved to halt a decision on the plans, seeking further clarity that they would not impact on local drainage in light of recent flooding in the village.
A total of 47 homes in Kemnay were hit by the deluge which swept through the region in the wake of Storm Frank in January.
Much of the flooding was caused by rising water coming from drains and sewers near to Stuart Crescent, Fyfe Park and Victoria Terrace.
Mrs Lonchay said: “Victoria Terrace in Kemnay was flooded to a greater depth and for longer than normal.
“There has to be a quite clear agreement that this problem is completely investigated and solved.
“This is a real concern for people in Kemnay.”
She sought “confirmation” the issues at the spot had been resolved between Scottish Water and the council before agreeing the plans.
Mrs Grant said: “This application is absolutely inherently interlinked with an existing sewer.
“We do have a responsibility as a committee to deal with this application in a responsible manner.”
However, senior council planner Bruce Strachan said January’s flooding was a “separate issue” to the Barratt Homes plans before the committee – with the council satisfied with measures to deal with surface water drainage at the site.
Scottish Water had no objections to the plans.
Locals had also raised concerns that Kemnay’s health centre, schools and other amenities would struggle with the development.
Councillor Bryan Stuart said he could “not see anyway around” the council’s drainage impact assessment, adding: “We must let people get things built, we must get things moving.”
Chairman of the committee, Fergus Hood, said he took on board the various concerns, but added: “This application is not there to fix historical problems.”
Mrs Lonchay moved with Mrs Grant to defer the decision, but the plans were backed by eight votes to two.
Doug McLeod, regional director for Barratt Scotland, said it was “an excellent result for Kemnay”.
He added: “The development will also provide an allocation of 16 affordable homes.”
