Plans for a 400-home development on the edge of an Aberdeenshire town – which could bring a large-scale supermarket to the area – will be considered at a special hearing next month.
The Mains of Cowie scheme, to the north of Stonehaven, could include a school, petrol station and community facilities.
Stewart Milne Homes launched the proposals for the 84-acre site last year.
However, the land has not been allocated in Aberdeenshire Council’s local development plan and council officers are recommending its refusal.
Now Stonehaven residents are being invited to listen in on a pre-determination hearing, which will allow those who have commented on the plans to air their views before councillors.
Representatives from Stewart Milne Homes will also be given the chance to speak during the event in St James Episcopal Church, on Arbuthnott Street, Stonehaven, on Wednesday, April 29 from 7pm.
Stonehaven Community Council originally objected to the plans citing flooding concerns.
However, last night the organisation’s vice-chairman, Phil Mills-Bishop, said members could change their minds as options were “running out” for a supermarket in the town.
He said: “We had put in an objection as we felt there was an increased flooding risk. The development is up on a hill and that could have an impact lower down where the leisure centre and the caravan park are.
“Also it was not within the local development plan and there was potential for traffic congestion. At the end of the day a majority of the community council decided we would object.
“What may change our minds is the fact that the local development plan has not implemented a supermarket for Stonehaven, so the number of options are dwindling.
“We want to demonstrate to the planning officials that the residents want a large supermarket, we don’t want everything to go to Chapelton of Elsick.”
Stewart Milne has previously said its proposals would create 177 construction and 180 retail jobs and generate an annual spend of £7.36million in the town.
A final decision on the plans is expected to be made on Thursday, June 18.
More than 4,000 new homes are planned for the Chapelton of Elsick “new town” development, near Newtonhill, along with a range of community facilities.