News article 28/02/2013

(Issued 28 February 2013) 
 

Homes for Scotland today welcomed the publication of the Proposed Strategic Development Plan for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Head of Planning Strategy Blair Melville said that Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils were to be commended for continuing to produce plans quickly in line with the Scottish Government’s aspiration that they be up-to-date and relevant. However, he continued:

“There are some real concerns with this Plan as the housing requirements appear to have been squeezed down and the timescales for delivery extended. That contrasts with the booming economy in the North-East, where report after report highlights that the area is the UK’s fastest-growing region.”

John Low of Stewart Milne Homes, speaking in his capacity as a member of the Homes for Scotland Board and chair of its Grampian committee, said:

“Home builders in the North-East know how strong the demand is for modern energy-efficient homes in the right locations but our worry is that the Strategic Plan does not adequately recognise this, particularly with regard to the Aberdeen market. The future prosperity of the region depends on being able to attract skilled labour to the area and that needs a strong supply of housing in the right locations.

“Unfortunately, the planning authorities have been slow to release land allocated in previous plans, even land they own and control. We need to see more marketable land coming forward soon to support economic growth.”

Ends