This will be of interest to those who use the Netherley Road (the B979).

A Scottish Government reporter today overturned a planning decision by Aberdeenshire Council. He has approved a change in the road layout at East Lodge at Ury just north of Stonehaven.

Back in March local councillors on a 5-3 vote refused the proposals put forward by Kirkwood Homes. I was one of the three.

At the time I said the design of the new junction would be feasible and deliverable. It would remove the need for residents to take a long detour from the Ury estate to access the Netherley Road and the Aberdeen bypass.

A padlocked gate will eventually close access to the existing road from the new diverted route.

It makes a change for a reporter to agree with me.

The applicant applied to be awarded expenses but this was refused by the reporter.

All the details can be found here, but for simplicity I have reproduced a copy of the plan for the junction below: https://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?id=121055&T=20.