A fascinating meeting of the Chapelton liaison committee tonight in Muchalls Village Hall. So, in no particular order, here is a flavour of what we heard: 

– More than 1000 families or couples have visited the showhouse which opened earlier this month. The next open opens shortly and the third one in the New Year. By the spring there should be about 30 families living there. 

– The houses are provided with satellite TV from a central point. 

– It will be some time in 2016 when the central reservation at Bruntland Road in closed. 

– The work to put sewage pipes under the A90 at Bourtreebush is almost complete. This will take the foul water from Chapelton to the main sewer which runs from Stonehaven to Nigg. It is large enough to accommodate the extra load for the early stages of the new town. As it expands it is possible that a second sewer will be needed in years to come. 

– A meeting is being held in January to progress the building of a joint place of worship for local church members. 

– The car park for the park-and-choose at the Newtonhill flyover should be ready for the occupation of the 50th house at Chapelton, which is likely to be this summer. Aberdeenshire Council is to approach Stagecoach regarding the timing of the removal of the bus stops for the express services on the A90 to the park-and-choose, as required by Transport Scotland. 

– The provision of medical services was also discussed. It appears that a way forward may be on the cards for Portlethen health centre to cater for the extra number of patients, but further discussions have to be held first. 

– Education was also discussed, with it being confirmed that the primary pupils will go to Newtonhill. 

– The three affected community councils (Newtonhill, Portlethen and North Kincardine Rural) are being asked to confirm who their representatives for the committee for 2015 will be. Newtonhill and Portlethen were both represented by two community councillors each, but there was no-one present from North Kincardine Rural. Also present were three residents from the new town area, and three ward councillors (Nelson, Evison and me).