Development of Laurencekirk
THE future development of Laurencekirk figured large in the discussion at Mearns Community Council on Monday.
The council were given a presentation from two representatives of Kirkwood Homes on their plans for development to the north of the town.
Later in the meeting they were given a report on the recent public exhibition by Scotia Homes relating to their plans to the south.
The council reiterated their stance that the necessary infrastructure must be put in place first before any more large-scale development is permitted.
Laurencekirk representative Jim Stuart said: "I have grave concerns about the methods of developing Laurencekirk. We seem to have two preferred developers (Scotia and Kirkwood) and they are answering the criteria at either end of the town, but what happens in the middle.
"They are talking about 800 more houses, that is 1,600 more cars and you can't get up and down the High Street at the moment.
"It is time to say 'stop' and look at the quality of life of the people who stay here.
"These developers are selling houses to make money, they are not particularly interested in Laurencekirk.
"We must have planner-led development based on commonsense. At the moment is is a farce and developer-led development is not working.
"The developers are looking at their own pockets. Can we ask the planners to take the lead in the development of Laurencekirk."
Councillor Jean Dick said the plans put forward so far were only indicative.
Councillor Tom Fleming said they were trying to get the developers to provide the infrastructure first, but it was a painful process.
Mr Stuart said Laurencekirk had been denied infrastructure in the past, but now there was no money. "We have heard all this before and nobody walks the walk."
Chairman David Nelson said these concerns were shared by the whole community council and that Laurencekirk was going to expand whether they liked it or not.
Steven Park and Clare Smith outlined Kirkwood Homes' plans for the land to the north of Laurencekirk.
The area to the north is the "preferred location" for 885 houses and 20 hectares of development land.
Clare Smith said: "Our masterplan provides for retail, commercial, community facilities, a hotel, education and employment.
"High density housing will be closest to the centre of the town, land has been earmarked for a new Mearns Academy and a possible new primary school and significant open space has been retained."
The masteplan also provides for a "distributor road" which would join up with the proposed road linking the A937 to Fordoun road at the other end of the town.
The plan includes improvements to the north junction with an acceleration lane and a new crossing of the railway line.
Mr Stuart asked why there was no land set aside for the possible commercial expansion of the railway station.
Mr Nelson asked how the development would be phased and said they didn't want to see just houses with no commercial or retail along with them. Steven Park replied that the council would set out strict conditions.
Alan Mowat asked why the proposed site for the new academy was so close to the railway line and was told that this was what Aberdeenshire Council wanted.
Mr Park said that Kirkwood would be prepared to contribute towards a grade-separated junction.
He said: "We have had discussions with MSPs and the first thing they say is that a junction is needed. We are fully aware of what needs to be done. The 4 million cost of a junction is nothing compared with what has gone before."
Chris Rushbridge attended the Scotia Homes meeting and reported that they had said that there was "no justification" for a grade-separated junction according to the information they had obtained.
"They would leave space for a grade-separated junction and they say they anticipate making a financial contribution to road improvements."
The Scotia plans are for 99 houses, industrial units and a filling station which would come later.
Hilda Kerr commented: "I hope the people of Laurencekirk realise what is going to happen to their town.
Mr Stuart said landscaping is always promised in developments but never seems to happen.
"We must combat the monotony of other applications."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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