April 30, 2013
– Outline planning permission granted for 4,025 homes ten miles south of Aberdeen with 8,000 planned in the long-term –
£2bn Development will bring 8,000 new jobs to the area with workbeginning in Summer 2013
Ambitious plans for Chapelton, Scotland’s largest new town, were given the go-ahead today (Tuesday 30 April 2013) paving the way for work to begin on the first new neighborhood, ten miles south of Aberdeen.
Aberdeenshire Council granted an approval for an outline planning application to transform 2,000 acres of farmland into a vibrant new community for the north east. The detailed application for the first 825 homes was also passed.
The town will offer a pedestrian friendly, mixed-use environment for residents, with a focus on community living.
From an extensive range of homes and schools through to a well-planned town centre and green space, developers will deliver a new sustainable community on a highly significant scale.
The long-term masterplan includes a total of seven neighbourhoods, creating the potential for up to 8,000 homes, thus making it Scotland’s largest settlement for a generation.
The news follows an extensive community engagement programme designed to ensure that as many as 5,000 locals had their voices heard during the consultation process.
In June 2012 new designs for Chapelton were unveiled at a public exhibition following feedback from the local community. Modifications included changes to address transport and infrastructure requirements.
Lord Southesk, director of Elsick Development Company (EDC), said : “From day one of this process we have taken on board literally thousands of viewpoints to ensure that no stone was left unturned. 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.
“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.”
Councillor Jim Gifford, Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, said : “This decision sends out the message that Aberdeenshire is serious about investment and providing quality housing.
“Extensive community liaison has been the hallmark of this project so far. We want to continue that process with Elsick Development Company to ensure their vision for a vibrant and sustainable community is delivered in accordance with the wishes of local residents.”
Chapelton will include industrial and business development, within the site and on land adjacent to Newtonhill, and is estimated to generate approximately 8,000 jobs.
It was recently announced that developers Elsick Development Company (EDC) has appointed Turner & Townsend to project manage the delivery of the first phase of housing.
Phase 1a will see 802 units and a small high street built at Cairnhill, the first of seven neighbourhoods.
Neil McCowan, Director at Turner & Townsend, added : “It is hugely exciting to see such a major community development project moving forward and we look forward to getting on site.”
Final plans were submitted to Aberdeenshire Council at the end of September 2012. The Further Information Report (FIR) represented the last stage in the development process.