Casting vote secures go-ahead for Fasque Estate development

Planners have narrowly backed the controversial transformation of a country estate, paving the way for new houses, a tourist attraction and equestrian centre.

Proposals for hundreds of homes on Fasque Estate, near Fettercairn, have been on the table since 2014.

The grounds are home to the 19th Century Fasque House.

The new development comprises 115 homes and a visitor centre, cafe and farm shop at the site off the Cairn o’ Mount road.

A separate application for an equestrian centre was also put forward to the Kincardine and Mearns committee.

The scheme was previously deferred twice so councillors could visit the site and developers could make alterations to the scheme.

Members had also expressed concern about the impact of some of the homes on the C-listed Bogendello House.

The revised plans relocated two of the house plots further away from the property and included a “treebelt” to shield the view of the new homes from Bogendello.

David Gibbon-wood, the property owner, said few changes had been made to the plans.

He told the meeting he was “confused” that the application had been given another opportunity to be approved when the developers had presented “pretty much the same situation”.

He also argued the tree belt, while blocking the view of the development, would also become “oppressive” in the future.

Mearns Conservative councillor George Carr said he broadly supported the proposal but urged the developer to leave the land west of Bogondello as “open meadow”.

Planning officers advised Mr Carr he would have to move a motion to reject the plans in that case.

Stonehaven and Lower Deeside Conservative colleague Sandy Wallace put forward an amendment to approve the development.

This led to deadlock in the chamber which left area committee chairwoman Wendy Agnew with the deciding vote, and she backed the development.