David Carnegie, the Duke of Fife, told the meeting he was aware of the pressure and was in discussion with house builders in Chapelton to move forward.

However one developer, Stephens, will pause their building programme until existing stock is sold. They have 41 properties occupied. Zero C have 43 properties occupied, with two-bedroom flats for rent having been newly completed. Brio Retirement Living is pressing ahead and the show home should open shortly, with residents expected to move in around February. AJC have 35 properties occupied, with Liddell Place to be completed by the end of the year. In total 158 houses are either occupied or in stock.

The duke cited the general downturn in the housing market, and was looking forward to an uplift in the local economy.

The next area for development is to the north west, a mix of commercial and houses for rent plus 37 affordable units.

In other matters, a book about Chapelton is being produced, a 10k run will take place on 15 July (with 275 runners), Liddell Park with a toddlers’ play area has opened, an allotments committee has been formed to look after the 16 plots, the first primary school is due when 489 houses are completed (to the west of the development), and agreement in principle has been reached with Aberdeenshire Council over a new street light to illuminate the bus stop at the park and choose.

This is a six monthly meeting involving the Elsick Development Company, Aberdeenshire Council officers, ward councillors, NHS, and representatives from surrounding community councils and residents. Andy Dodds was there on behalf of Chapelton homeowners.

• The Evening Express covered the story: https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/uncategorized/residents-want-builder-to-pick-up-pace-with-new-town-homes/