Proposal unveiled for almost 50 homes in Aberdeenshire village

Claymore Homes are proposing a 49 house development and will hold a public consultation in the village and meet with the community council before submitting a full planning application by October.

Alastair Rennie, of Claymore Homes, told The Fraserburgh Herald: “We got a very warm reception from the community. They did seem in favour of the plans and we are hoping to proceed fairly rapidly.”

David Gammack, Invercairn Community Council secretary, said: “At the moment it’s just pre-planning permission and everything is up for change but I think everyone here wholeheartedly supports it.

“It’s quite a positive step forward and the community can support it.”

Mr Gammack believes the proposed development will help bring more people, property and business to the village. He also thought the choice of location was preferable as it lies in the centre of the two villages, Cairnbulg and Inverallochy, so would not spread the villages further apart.

As part of the proposed development to the north side of Rathen Road Claymore Homes will also hand over land to be used by the church.

Mr Rennie said: “We’re going to provide land so they can extend the church and provide some parking.”

The community council are also hopeful that the proposal might help them get the speed limit reduced to 20 mph throughout the village - a change they have been lobbying the council on for some time. However both Mr Rennie and Mr Gammack stressed that the proposal was still in its early stages.

Mr Gammack said: “I think they’re going to come back to us at a later date and we will work with them. They seem keen to engage with us and we do welcome that.”

Mr Rennie said: “It’s early days but because the community seemed to be in favour of it we’ll probably press ahead.”