It is a simple fact that the Local Development Plan (LDP) does not include 'a substantial housing development' in Kincardine O'Neil. It does not include any housing development.

Put simply, the new LDP does not yet exist, even in draft.

As one of the first stages of preparing the new LDP, Aberdeenshire Council sought 'bids' from landowners and developers.

The council also sought suggestions from community councils on areas where development might be possible, or areas which should be protected.

These 'bids' have been published, not through any legal requirement but in the interests of transparency and to encourage dialogue between landowners/developers and communities. In some places, such dialogue has occurred or is planned.

Some 750 bids were received across Aberdeenshire and these are currently being assessed by the council's planning service.

Area committees will be considering them during the next couple of months, through informal seminars and formal meetings.

The next significant stage will be the publication of the main issues report in early May. This will contain options for specific policies and options for future development in each of our communities.

This publication will be the start of the first formal consultation, which will run until about the beginning of the summer break.
So what has been published thus far are no more than 'wish-lists'. There is a long way to go before some (if any) of these proposals are included in the LDP.

But Mr Nixon is right to be interested and I hope that everyone will get involved in developing this new plan. This is not an issue that can be left to others. It behoves us all to take part in the debate about the future development of our communities.

Yours etc.,
Councillor Peter J Argyle,
Chairman,
Infrastructure Services Committee,
Aboyne.