Residents of a north-east village took the chance to learn about plans to alter a major housing development in their area yesterday.
Stewart Milne Group was given permission to develop 45 homes in Crathes last June, but now wants to expand that to 70, even though just a handful of the properties built have been sold.
The development proved unpopular with local residents and was only allowed to proceed after the building company appealed to the Scottish Government.
The proposed alterations went on display in Crathes Village Hall from 3-8pm yesterday.
David Morrish, who lives in Crathes, said: “We want them to finish the development, so they can complete the amenity area and the traffic island going into it from Deeside Road.
“But we do not want any more homes built.
“The 2012 local development says up to 45 homes can be built and no more.
Peter Renwick, of Crathes Community Council, added: “This has been a very unpopular development.
“The community council objected and so did Aberdeenshire Council, but the developers appealed to the Scottish Government and it was overturned.
“It’s a classic example of a lack of democracy.”
Carolanne Dieleman, the group sales and marketing director of Stewart Milne, responded: “Market demand changes over time.
“When we launched the development, there was demand for larger size properties and our architects designed a development that met demand in terms of size of home and layout of the development.
“In the current market, demand has changed and consumers are looking for three and four-bedroom family homes that are spacious, with a high specification and affordable.
“We want to meet that consumer demand and provide family homes in an area that is sought after and ideal for family living.”
