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Aberdeenshire approves 4,000-home new town


Aberdeenshire Council has resolved to grant outline planning permission for a £2 billion new town development on 2,000 acres of farmland near Newtonhill south of Aberdeen.

The new town, which will be Scotland's largest planned town, will be delivered by Elsick Development Company (EDC) and will be named Chapelton of Elsick. 

The scheme will comprise 4.025 new homes and will create 8,000 new jobs. The Council has approved a detailed application for the first 825 homes. The full masterplan for the scheme comprises up to 8,000 homes across seven new neighbourhoods.

The proposals for the town were submitted to the Council in October last year following extensive consultation with the local community, statutory agencies and developers. 

The Council's director of infrastructure services said in his committee report (404-page / 82MB PDF) that, although the proposals did not "fully meet" some of the Council's policies on affordable housing and on provision of a gypsy traveller site, the "high quality" mixed use development was recommended for approval. 

"The Planning Service commends the applicant and agent for the levels of public engagement, the quality of the layout and design, and the negotiation and dialogue that has seen the proposed development evolve to what is being determined here," the report said. 

“From day one of this process we have taken on board literally thousands of viewpoints to ensure that no stone was left unturned," said EDC director Lord Southesk in a statement. "This has resulted in several amendments to the scheme and additional supporting technical, environmental and design information".

Today’s news means we can potentially be on site in Summer 2013 and it will be very exciting to begin work on this landmark project. We believe that Chapelton will be a major economic fillip to the area as well as addressing the need for quality housing," Lord Southesk said. 

“With up to 8,000 homes planned in the long term, as well as schools, community facilities and commercial space, Chapelton is set to become a major new Aberdeenshire community," he added. 

“This decision sends out the message that Aberdeenshire is serious about investment and providing quality housing," said Council leader Jim Gifford. 

“Extensive community liaison has been the hallmark of this project so far. We want to continue that process with EDC to ensure their vision for a vibrant and sustainable community is delivered in accordance with the wishes of local residents,” he said. 

Work on the new town is expected to start this summer.

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