The move follows a visit to the site last December by Members of Aberdeenshire Council's Marr Area Committee and a vote by members of the Marr Committee that went in the applicant's favour.

Committee members were reminded in a report that the full planning application, for two, single-storey, detached houses, with single garages, had come from The MacRobert Trust, Tarland (through agent, Martyn Skinner Architectural Services, Beechcroft Avenue, Insch). The site of the development would be on land north of Pinewood, in Aberdeen Road.

Objections to the plans had included concerns that the proposed houses would be at odds with the general pattern of development in the area; road access; and that the development would "close in" the approach to the village.

However, having taken into account the concerns of the Community Council and other objectors, the planning service recommended that final approval – subject to almost 20 conditions – should be delegated to the head of development management and building standards. That was agreed by members but only after the issue went to a vote, with the committee coming out 5-3 in favour of delegating approval.

Local Councillor Rosemary Bruce said that she shared the concerns of some local people that the development would have an adverse impact on the character of the area and she could not support the recommendation of delegated approval.

However, Councillor Joanna Strathdee said that "the genie is already out of the bottle" as they had approved the building of other houses nearby.

She was backed by Councillor Jill Webster but Councillor Alastair Ross said that he was with Councillor Bruce. They may well have let the genie out of the bottle "but do we want to let any more out?" he asked.