Aberdeenshire Council has told a housing firm to build a bus stop and play park for some residents at a new 100-home development – after the company appealed for the conditions to be waived.
Northwoods Housing applied for permission to deviate from conditions to create a bus stop alongside the estate on the A952 Mintlaw to Fraserburgh road.
It was also the firm’s hope that any play equipment would be included in later stages of the development.
Previously, councillors raised concerns that such a move would mean the nearest bus stop would be more than half-a-mile away for some, and that children would have to cross the A952 Toll of Birness to Fraserbrugh road to reach the nearest playground.
Yesterday, at a meeting of the Buchan area committee, agent for the developer Gary Purves said: “We have reached an impasse with the planning department.
“I’m hopeful that, after the calls and email exchanges, in the near future we can purify this condition to provide a play park.”
A long discussion ensued based on a separate planning application for a bus stop submitted by the applicant – which has not yet been decided.
Central Buchan councillor, Jim Ingram, made a motion to go with the recommendations put forward – that both facilities included in the development, even though they may differ from the original conditions imposed.
All members agreed that it was satisfactory as long as both are provided in some way.
