Aberdeenshire Council Local Development Plan Team

Dear Sir/Madam

Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2021- Call for Sites Community and Residential Allocation - Kingseat South (Phase 1and 2), Newmachar

This statement is in response to the call for bids for the Aberdeenshire LDP 2021 and accompanies a completed copy of the proforma questionnaire and is intended to elaborate on the answers provided therein and should be read in conjunction with the attached indicative layout plan.

The submission seeks the allocation of land to the south of Kingseat and would provide between 100-150 new homes including a 25% proportion delivered as affordable housing on site, as well as community facilities in the form of football pitch/car park/village green.

The Kingseat Hospital Development Brief was prepared in 2003; an extract below details the provision of community facilities:

"3. Community facilities including relocated football field, changing facilities, General Practitioners base and local shop and equipped children's play area. The existing landscaped public open space is needed to act as a buffer between the new business uses and residential uses and as a community recreation facility. The location, services provision and mechanisms for the future management of the community hall facility needs to be agreed with Aberdeenshire Council and Newmachar Community Council. Ideally the community hall will be located in Newmachar. "

See Proposals plan below: An aerial photograph prior to development clearly shows the football pitch (right hand side of photo), as well as the bowling green and hall.

at Kingseat (albeit outwith the Conservation Area) has been established. The Reporter found that

"The development of this final site would complete the redevelopment of Kingseat. It would also allow for contributions to affordable housing, the local community facilities and other provision directly required as a result of the new housing. In that way, the community would benefit from the proposals."

In 2012 a temporary permission was sought for 10 years for Change of Use from agricultural land to football pitches, improved access, parking area and 3 No. portable structures at land at Kingseat Farm, Kingseat, Newmachar, (Ref: APP/2012/0640) and was granted 25/04/2012. to Castleglen Land Search for Kingseat Lewis United Youth. See Location below:

It is apparent when walking around the Kingseat community, that much of the development remains unfinished and vital parts of the mixed used development (nursing home, retail and commercial units) within the Conservation Area have failed to be delivered. Significantly, large swathes of the site containing listed buildings considered suitable for conversion remain undeveloped and remain surrounded by safety barrier fencing with some on the "at risk" register (Ward Building and Administration Block). For those conversions which have been carried out, as well as the new build element, these have proved successful and have contributed to the creation of a very distinct sense of place, reflecting the historic use of the site. The new build development to the east of the conservation area, has been built at a much higher density and comprises housing and a small area for business use (including a dental surgery, children's nursery and office buildings). These areas are now becoming established. Unfortunately, the development has failed to deliver any community facilities, leaving the Kingseat community devoid of an area which allows the community to come together. It is hoped that the current bid will bring forward these vital community facilities, in the form of a football pitch available to the entire community, it is hoped a youth football team might be established to follow the tradition of the former Kingseat team which folded in its 99th year, as well as more formal green space, which might be used to create a village green or play park. In order to deliver the much required community benefits, additional housing at Kingseat must be supported. The simple economic fact is that the more housing that is delivered, the more community benefit can be provided to the community. It is anticipated that the proposed housing delivered in Phase 1 will comprise between 50 - 75 units, including 25% affordable housing on site, delivered as a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bed units. Vehicular access will be taken from Kingseat Avenue which feeds to the north to the B979 Newmachar- Whitecairns road.

The indicative layout plan shows the housing to the south-east of the Conservation Area boundary, with the community facilities to the south of that boundary. Careful consideration has been given to this layout and distribution to reflect the pattern of existing housing outwith the conservation area and also to respect the more open parkland character of the development within the designated conservation area. To the east, south-east and south of this field is a distinctive belt of mature trees, known as the Kingseat Belt, which provides an important landscape feature, shelter and setting to this field and ultimately to the development; this will not be affected by this proposal. Opportunities exist to create pedestrian/cycle linkages into this area which already has a track running through it, at the eastern margins.

Phase 2 lies to the south of Phase 1 and will deliver another 50-75 units, again including 25% affordable housing provision on site and delivered as a range of 2,3 an 4 bed units. The vehicular access will continue from Kingseat Avenue, with Phase 2 of the residential development to the south-east and additional green infrastructure to the south west. Again the distribution of these uses pays heed to the more dense housing development outwith the conservation area whilst delivering additional green space closer to the conservation area, thereby respecting the special character of this area. As Phase 2 reaches the edges of the Kingseat Belt at the south and south- east margins, this provides opportunities for direct pedestrian/cycle linkages into this wooded area with routes out to the greater network, such as the Formartine & Buchan Way. In conclusion, the principle of community facilities in the field subject of the current bid has been established in 2012 and for additional housing at Kingseat in 2013. This proposal seeks to deliver the important but missing community facilities which Kingseat deserves and was promised, which will ensure that the Kingseat community will continue to grow and thrive.

In summary, we would submit that the proposed site represents a logical location for continued and planned community development in conjunction with a residential element, making maximum use of the infrastructure and best use of the land. There are no constraints to the early delivery of the site and therefore we would respectfully request the existing allocation is continued within the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2021.