en.Wedoany.com Reported - UK property developer Cala Homes' plan to build 158 homes in Newmachar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, has been approved. The application also sought outline planning permission from Aberdeenshire Council for an additional 106 and 54 homes in two subsequent phases, with detailed plans to be submitted after the first phase commences.
Previously, developer Scotia Homes obtained planning permission for the site in 2022 and planned to develop it, after which Cala Homes submitted its proposal. The proposal was presented to the Garioch area committee on June 24. Plans show two road entrances along Hillbrae Way and the construction of a pedestrian path connecting the village to the new residential area. Cala Homes has designed 16 different house types for the Newmachar project, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom family homes.
A portion of the site was originally planned for a new primary school, but after assessment by the local authority's education team, it was determined that existing facilities could accommodate the school-age children from the new development, rendering a new school unnecessary and making the land more suitable for residential construction. Robert Grant, development manager at Cala Homes, defended the plan at the meeting, stating that the company was "essentially just replicating what Scotia had already approved." Grant added that Cala Homes is committed to providing two, three, four, and five-bedroom family homes, private housing, and affordable housing, which are in high demand locally; the remainder consists of one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom bungalows to offer diversity.
Councillor Judy Whyte inquired whether additional bus stops would be added. Grant responded that residents would need to use the existing stops on Hillbrae Way and noted that if demand arises from the subsequent two phases, it would be considered during site design. Councillor David Keating expressed concern that the residential construction would put additional pressure on general practitioners, but he also stated that he was "completely satisfied with other aspects of the application, and affordable housing is indeed needed." Councillor Jim Gifford was optimistic about the plan, saying, "This development has been a long time coming... it's good to see it progressing, and it's a good use of the site." The committee decided to approve the application after discussion.
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