Approval for council's Rothienorman housing

Councillors have approved an application to build affordable homes in Rothienorman.

At the Infrastructure Services Committee meeting on Thursday, councillors agreed unanimously to approve a delegated grant for the application to build 12 homes on vacant land to the south of the existing Kinbroom sheltered housing site in the village.

The committee had previously deferred decision making on the application when they first discussed it in November, however were now satisfied that their concerns had been explored and appropriate feedback received.

Their main concerns previously had regarded flood risk, local amenities and waste water drainage.

The committee heard that the local primary school is currently operating at 86 per cent capacity with a declining roll, which was not of concern, and while the nearest secondary school Meldrum Academy is currently operating above capacity it is also experiencing a declining roll so therefore these new houses do not pose any concern.

Councillor Iain Taylor said the drainage issue is “a historical dilemma” in the village and added: “I realise that ultimately the development is likely to have no detrimental impact on what is already existing there and therefore I can’t see that being a particular dilemma."

While there had been 20 representations and a petition of 41 signatures received against the application, as well as one representation in favour, the group were satisfied that there were no objections from technical consultees and that the concerns raised by local residents had been considered.

The 0.6 hectare site at Kinbroom will see the development of four one bedroom flats, four two bedroom homes, three three bedroom homes and a four bedroom home, all of which are classed as affordable housing thus surpassing the requirement for 25 per cent of properties built to be affordable.

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