Heated discussions tonight at Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council. The topic in the spotlight was the plan by Barratt to develop and area of land to the south of Park Place. A 12-week pre-application consultation has just begun and in due course the company will hold a drop-in event locally seeking comment from residents.
The community council is minded to hold a public meeting to establish what local people think.
The land is zoned in Aberdeenshire Council‘s local development plan for housing. Chairman Michael Morgan said that the site could accommodate 70 houses.
The sale of land by Aberdeenshire Council also came under the spotlight, a decision which was taken in private after legal advice.
Other issues which were discussed by the 20 people present included:
– Community resilience in case of an emergency, such as flood, power cut, severe weather, or a major accident. Could the Bettridge Centre be used as an emergency refuge? If there is a long power cut a simple plug-in phone will still work.
– Some of the gates have been fixed on the right of way around Cranhill.
– A proposal for an agricultural shed on Cranhill has been withdrawn.
– The Newtonhill village association is investigating improvements to the play area in the Newtonhill park.
– A £695 administration grant has been received from Aberdeenshire Council.
– Aberdeenshire Council officers are trying to identify the source of rats at the southern end of St Ternan’s Road.
– The community council is to respond to an Aberdeenshire Council consultation on the enhanced provision currently in Newtonhill primary school. The council has concerns about the plans to transfer this to Portlethen primary.
– Pressure is being put on Aberdeenshire Council for a 30mph speed limit in East Cammachmore.
– A 19-year-old was charged with breaking into a house in Newtonhill, according to a report on 2 July.
– The community council is to consider whether to l