The Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee met on Tuesday 29 September 2026 to discuss a range of planning and policy matters. Key decisions included the delegated grant of planning permission for 87 new homes in Portlethen, subject to conditions and legal agreements, and the provision of comments on the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2027-2032. The committee also discussed proposed revisions to the Festive Lights Policy, with members providing feedback for consideration by the Infrastructure Services Committee.

Planning Permission for New Homes in Portlethen

The committee granted delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Economy to grant full planning permission for the erection of 41 dwellinghouses (Phase 1) and 46 dwellinghouses with open space, landscaping, and a playpark (Phase 2) at Land at Schoolhill, Portlethen. This decision, relating to applications APP/2026/0139 and APP/2026/0846, was made subject to the finalisation of a Minute of Variation to the existing Section 75 legal agreement and the imposition of relevant planning conditions.

The development, brought forward by Cala Homes North, will deliver a total of 87 new homes, including 46 affordable units, exceeding the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan's 25% affordable housing requirement. The proposal represents a departure from Policy P2 of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023 regarding open space provision, as the initial phases provide approximately 10.3% open space, falling short of the 40% benchmark. However, this departure was deemed acceptable due to the site's planning history, a previous appeal decision, and the integration of open space within the wider masterplanned allocation.

Numerous objections were raised by local residents concerning the impact on local infrastructure, including education capacity at Hillside Primary School and Portlethen Academy, pressure on healthcare services, traffic congestion, road safety, and the character of the area. Concerns were also voiced about the introduction of affordable housing and its potential impact on house prices and community dynamics. Supporters of the development highlighted the need to develop the currently unmaintained land and the potential for the increased population to stimulate investment in local services.

Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2027-2032

The committee provided comments on the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) for 2027-2032. This plan outlines Aberdeenshire's affordable housing investment priorities for the next five years, identifying potential projects to meet identified housing needs. For the Kincardine and Mearns area, the proposed programme includes the delivery of approximately 550 affordable homes, with 361 for social rent, 127 for mid-market rent, and 62 for affordable home ownership. Around 173 of these homes are anticipated to be suitable for particular needs households, including 50 that would be fully wheelchair accessible.

Councillors noted the significant housing need within the Kincardine and Mearns area, particularly in Portlethen, and expressed concerns about the dependency on private developer build-out rates for delivery. Questions were raised regarding the provision for wheelchair-accessible housing and the current waiting list for such properties, with councillors advocating for all new builds to incorporate level access and wider door frames for improved accessibility. The potential for building affordable houses with granny flats was also discussed as a future consideration.

Festive Lights Policy Review 2026

The committee discussed proposed revisions to the Festive Lights Policy, which aims to provide a more permissive framework for community-led installations while adhering to Full Cost Recovery principles. The proposed changes include removing location restrictions, allowing communities to fund infrastructure upgrades, and introducing a population-based allocation for electricity costs.

Significant feedback was received from the public engagement exercise, indicating broad support for community-led decision-making and self-funding for new enhancements. However, there was strong opposition to shifting electricity and infrastructure costs onto communities, with many viewing the consultation as a tick-box exercise and expressing concerns about the fairness of a population-based funding allocation. Councillors echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential for increased costs for communities, the administrative burden of the proposed system, and the need for greater clarity on financial implications. The committee agreed to provide comments to the Infrastructure Services Committee on these proposed changes.

Other Business

The committee also noted the minutes of the previous meeting held on 1 September 2026. An exempt item regarding a Supplementary EIS Directorate Procurement Plan was also considered.