Parents can be reassured that our local primary schools can cope with the number of children needing educated.

Councillor Ian Mollison said: “At the moment Portlethen, Fishermoss and Newtonhill primary schools do have capacity to take more children.

“Fishermoss has 263 pupils, and officials have recently told councillors this number is projected to fall to 241 by 2016.

“Portlethen has 297 pupils, and this is to rise to 543 pupils by 2016. Hence the need to consider rezoning in Portlethen for a better balance.

“Newtonhill has 303 pupils, and is projected to have 281 in 2016.

“This can be checked by looking at the reports prepared for Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee on 7 February, item 5 on the agenda. Click here: http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees/detail.asp?ref_no=80257287006…

“These figures take account of all known housing development, but of course they are subject to some variation!

“Should there be a sudden rise in the number of young children which leads to a need for a third primary school in Hillside, then the council has funding set aside in the years to come to build the school. A site has been earmarked, and at the moment the council has until 2017 to take up this option.

“Should the third school be necessary I would have no hesitation in supporting it.

“I note that it is being said that Stewart Milne would like to build 1500 more houses at Portlethen. Well he may, but he would need to get planning permission first. Local councillors ruled out further major development of this sort when they approved to new Local Development Plan for Kincardine and Mearns. That was one of the reasons we unanimously agreed that it would be better to develop a new town at Chapelton of Elsick. We are now waiting to see if the Scottish Government supports our decision – or decides we got it wrong. We hope to hear within the next few weeks.

“Assuming the Scottish Government supports us local councillors (but who knows?), then Stewart Milne’s plans will be contrary to the new Local Development Plan.

“In the meantime, the council is investing in our current local schools to give our children the best education possible. By the way, a further £100,000 is being earmarked this week for more upgrading at Portlethen Primary.”