UPDATE: In a shocking decision, the Garioch area committee has refused a proposal to demolish the former Stewart Milne base in Westhill for new affordable housing. The plan, aimed at constructing 45 new homes, was rejected by council members earlier today, raising urgent questions about local housing needs.
The proposal by Bancon Construction and The Lombard Merton Trust sought to replace the vacant Peregrine House on Mosscroft Avenue with a mix of one to five-bedroom properties, designed to meet the growing demand for affordable housing in the area. The council’s decision comes just months after the housebuilder went bankrupt in January 2024, leaving the three-storey building unoccupied.
Residents expressed concerns that the site, adjacent to the busy Westhill Garage, was unsuitable for housing due to potential noise issues. Councilor Iris Walker articulated these fears, questioning who would want to live near an industrial estate, especially when advice would be given to keep windows closed to manage sound.
“We have many discussions with the housing service advising tenants to keep their windows open,” Walker stated, emphasizing the impracticality of the proposal. Other council members echoed her sentiments, with Jim Gifford calling the suggestion of a “closed window” strategy to mitigate noise “frankly absurd.”
Despite these objections, Aberdeenshire Council planners recommended the proposal, citing its potential to address the housing emergency declared by the Scottish Government last year. Environmental Health officers initially opposed the plan, fearing that homes would be too close to industrial noise. However, a noise impact assessment indicated that commercial noise levels would have a “low impact.”
In a close vote, the committee ultimately sided against the development, rejecting the proposal 11 to 2. The decision raises significant implications for Westhill’s housing market, where demand continues to soar amid a growing population.
Residents had also raised concerns regarding the town’s capacity to accommodate new families, particularly in relation to local schools and health services. The proposed development included approximately four wheelchair-accessible homes and was designed to feature up to 80 car parking spaces alongside bin and cycle storage.
As the community grapples with the fallout from the decision, the future of affordable housing in Westhill remains uncertain. With local leaders divided, the urgency for a viable solution to the housing crisis is more pressing than ever.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
