Aberdeenshire Council granted planning permission last year for the development of 36 new homes, adding to the previously approved redevelopment of the Kennels and Home Farm complex within the site and supporting the previously approved enabling development scheme, creating 40 new properties overall.

CALA originally put forward plans for a scheme of 50 properties at the site in November 2017, but in July 2019 went back to the drawing board and scaled down the target to 36 homes instead.

Following an almost four-year planning saga, the housebuilder has now decided the timing means the project no longer suits its programme.

Meldrum House Estate has agreed a new partnership with Cairnrowan Custom Homes to complete the development.

Bob Edwards, director at Meldrum House Estate, said: “The proposals for this exciting project have been many years in the making and we were delighted to receive approval for the vision of creating bespoke, luxury homes within our grounds last year.

“Due to the time taken to secure these approvals, it no longer made sense for our previous partner to progress the plans, but we are thrilled that they have completed a successful handover with Cairnrowan Custom Homes who will deliver this remarkable collection of homes.

“We look forward to work commencing on the project in the coming months and hope to be able to give more details very soon.”

A spokeswoman for CALA Homes (North) told our sister publication Scottish Construction Now: “We worked with Meldrum House Estate for more than four years to secure what was a very challenging consent.

“The timing of the approval means that the opportunity no longer fits with our wider business strategy and so we have completed a successful handover of the project to the new delivery partner.

“We continue to proactively look for land opportunities in the region and will focus on our wide portfolio of new, growing and proposed developments, including Friarsfield West in Cults, two new phases at Craibstone Estate and a third phase at our landmark Oldfold Village development in Milltimber, all of which will commence in the coming months.”