Last night we had a meeting of the Chapelton liaison committee, where developers, residents, community councils, local councillors, NHS Grampian, builders, Aberdeenshire Council and contractors come together for an update on the new town. Here are some key points:

– The first houses will be built by a Dorchester firm called ZeroC, who have been involved in projects including Prince Charles’ Poundbury development. Rooms in their properties are 10% larger than standard. They will build 11 flats and 26 houses, commercial properties and a nursery on Greenlaw Road (the main entrance route) and Hume Square. A contractors will be Bancon.

– The initial houses will be larger, but as the development progresses there will be “full offer of all types” according to David Southesk. Nearer the centre of the new twon there will be smaller houses.

– Sales cabins will open on site tomorrow, but at this stage is by appointment only. The sales office will be open from 11am to 5pm from Thursday to Monday. The Heras fencing surround the site near Newtonhill will be removed imminently.

– NHS Grampian is more optimistic now about providing local health services and is confident of bridging the gap with help from the Portlethen Medical Centre which can “increase its capacity.” There is a recognition from Scottish Government down that there is a need. NHS Grampian’s spokesman said they are committed to providing medical services in the new town.

– Chapelton youngsters will go to Newtonhill Primary School or Portlethen Academy. Both have capacity. The first Chapelton primary school can open in August 2017, and indeed can be brought forward a year if necessary. However a public consultation about rezoning take a year – a statutory requirement.

– The bus stops will be moved from the A90 at the Newtonhill flyover before the first house is occupied in the new town. The park and choose site will be up and running once 50 homes are occupied. A minibus service will link the park and choose with Chapelton.

– The two objections to the closure of the Bruntland Road junction on the A90 at Bourtreebush have now been dropped. That means the work can go ahead, for safety reasons. There is no timetable yet. 

– Rising mains will needs to cross under the A90. This will be done by drilling, without interrupting the traffic. However when mains need to cross the Durris-Portlethen road near Compulsion Lodge, that road will need to be closed for three weeks, hopefully less, in August. 

– Construction traffic will have no need to use the Cookney road. On occasion the road had to be used, especially when the Greenlaw Road (the access road) was being tarred.