The Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA), a partnership between Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils, has voiced its opposition to an application from a developer to reduce their contribution to transport improvements.

It is understood the developers had previously agreed to contribute a certain amount to improve transport infrastructure related to a planned new settlement, the Chapleton of Elsick, in Aberdeen.

The application seeks to reduce the transport infrastructure contribution payable to the Strategic Transport Fund by 96% from their originally agreed level of approximately £8million to just £287,000.

At an SDPA meeting earlier this week, the application was opposed. The authority also said that such a drastic change would be "significantly contrary" to the Strategic Development Plan, which was approved by Scottish Ministers in 2014.

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The Plan outlines the infrastructure which needs to be delivered in the area to enable the proposed growth predicted over the next 20 years to go ahead.

With regards to the Chapleton of Elsick development, it is located 12 miles to the south of Aberdeen, between Portlethen and Newtonhill, and has received planning permission for more than 4,000 new homes and the associated works. Construction commenced on site last year.

Commenting on the application, Councillor Peter Argyle, Chair of the SDPA, said: "It is critical for the future of the City Region that the infrastructure requirements of new development are addressed. The public sector is paying over £1billion over the next few years for new transport infrastructure alone, without which development would not be possible.

"The private sector is being asked to make a modest contribution on top of this to enable growth on the scale proposed to take place."

The views of the SDPA have now been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council. The application is due to be determined next month.

(JP/MH)