Residents, supporters and objectors have voiced their views on Cala Homes' proposed 100-home development at Pitfodels.
The housebuilder’s proposals for the 9.87-hectare site at Pitfodels will see 100 new homes delivered, including 25 affordable properties.
The plans attracted strong public support during consultation earlier this year and will deliver a £4million new bridge and link road between Inchgarth Road and North Deeside Road.
The new infrastructure will ease pressure on two historic crossings and improve transport connections across the west of the city. The development also includes generous areas of public open space and enhanced walking and cycling connections to the Deeside Way.
Almost 1,700 objections have been registered against the proposals, with 504 letters in favour - but objectors were outnumbered by people speaking in support of the scheme at an Aberdeen City Council pre-determination hearing yesterday.
Despite the site already having planning consent for a larger development, some raised concerns about the loss of green space and biodiversity.
Local resident Sandy Wood said: “This is absolutely not an underutilised space or unattractive scrubland."
Speaking in favour of the proposals, Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, urged councillors to back the scheme.
He said: “This land was described in 2020 by Cults, Bieldside & Milltimber Community Council as of ‘poor visual quality’ and ‘not readily available for any recreational purpose’.
He added: “Environmental agencies have raised no objections, no protected habitats have been identified, and more trees will be planted than removed.
“For goodness sake. In the name of progress and moving our city forward, let’s get on with it."
Planning officers told councillors the application's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was "deficient", arguing it did not include all of the landscape and visual information requested. However, Cala Homes and its planning agent Ryden rejected that assessment.
Speaking after the hearing, Ross Maclennan, Land Director at Cala Homes (North), said: “Our proposals for Pitfodels are supported by a comprehensive body of technical information, including an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and a total of 14 detailed landscape visualisations prepared by specialist consultants.
“We have responded fully to all planning authority requests throughout the process and welcomed the opportunity to address these points directly with committee members today. We are working through the feedback, which relates to a specific element of the EIA.
“The majority of contributions at today’s hearing were in support of the application, recognising the opportunity to upgrade the city’s roads and deliver much needed new homes for the area.
“Aberdeen City Council has already granted planning permission for a similar number of homes at this site. Our proposals bring forward a less dense development with a higher proportion of affordable homes. We look forward to the committee’s consideration of the application.”