t he future of Banchory

1. the future of Banchory 2010-2023

2. the Structure Plan • Adopted in August 2009. • Requires 72,000 houses in Aberdeen City and Shire by 2030. • Concentrates investment in Strategic Growth Areas. • Requires 3,700 houses in the Local Growth (AHMA) Area. • 1,000 houses between now and 2016. • A further 1,350 between 2017 and 2023.

3. Banchory’s role • Within the Local Growth (AHMA) area, there are limited options for growth. • Banchory, Westhill, Kemnay, Oldmeldrum and Newmachar. • Limited scope for investment in new infrastructure. • Schools and transport

4. starting point

5. Local Development Plan bid • Based on Bancon’s draft plan • Looking forward to 2030 • Using basic densities, a maximum capacity of around 900 houses and 9ha of business land. • Included 10ha for a replacement secondary school.

6. the Main Issues Report 300 houses and 2ha business land on site M46 35 houses, recreational, social and civic uses on site M45

7. landscape capacity study

8. ecological appraisal

9. response to MIR • The MIR suggested that Banchory could support around 300 houses and 2ha of business land, with the North and East preferred areas. • Bancon supported the principle of the allocation, but questioned the limited nature of it. • We therefore promoted: - • the necessity to safeguard a future secondary school site. • the school roll forecasts show capacity for continued expansion. • the potential benefits of a larger allocation (sustainability, affordable housing, community facilities). • greater development potential to the west of Raemoir Road.

10. schools/new academy site

11. the proposed LDP Site M1 – up to 30 houses - demonstration eco-village, tourism and community uses, including playing fields and a park and ride. Site M2 – 285 houses and 2ha business land Site R4 – reserved for new education uses Site H1 and H2 – 15 and 50 houses respectively

12. Response to proposed LDP • 2 stage response to the proposed plan: - • to establish what could be successfully accommodated within the proposed zoning; and • to establish what could be successfully accommodated within the proposed zoning with additional land identified through our own studies as suitable for development. • Support our proposals with a masterplan, along with detailed studies of transport impact, drainage impact, how the proposal will fit into the landscape and contribute to the future of Banchory. • Identify how the proposals conform with the Structure Plan and the aims and objectives of the proposed LDP.

13. masterplanning • The plan that supported our Local Development Plan bids was very basic. • The Landscape Capacity Study and Ecological Appraisals narrowed down the developable parts of the site. • Bancon therefore established a design team of Archial, Hyder, Ramsay and Chalmers and David Wilson Associates to develop a detailed plan for the M2 and H2 areas. • Two plans were developed, based on (1) the zoning in the proposed LDP and (2) the additional land identified by our studies.

14. masterplan 1

15. masterplan 2

16. designing streets

17. designing streets

18. masterplan 3 • In addition, Bancon also commissioned the William Cowie Partnership to look at the site to the east of the town (M1 in the proposed LDP). • The plan identifies the range of uses identified in the proposed LDP: - • around 30 houses, as an exemplar eco-village • playing fields • tourist facilities • holiday chalets • allotments

19. connectivity and open space • Emphasis on pedestrian and cycle connectivity. • Move towards open space accessible to all. • Maximise links to the core path network, and seek to integrate attractions of Banchory, i.e. Crathes Castle, Woodend, Loch of Leys etc. • Protection of the wetland areas to the north of the town, but provide sensitive pedestrian access to enjoy the area to its full potential. • Ensure new facilities are accessible without reliance on cars.

20. drainage proposals

21. sustainability • Bancon have established a sustainability group to ensure that what we build is as efficient as possible. • We are currently building houses that perform considerably better than the required standards. • As these standards are increased, we will stay ahead of the requirements. • The eco-village is an opportunity to pilot innovative solutions to achieve zero carbon houses. • We can then refine this into the standard Banconbuildings. • District heating (to become biomass CHP) is already operational in Hill of Banchory, and will be extended to the new development areas.

22. community • Community facilities • Sense of place • Affordable housing • Secure a site for the new secondary school • Playing fields and open space • Tourist facilities - gateway • Future prosperity for Banchory • Buck the trend of an ageing population

23. transport assessment • One of the keys to the success of settlement expansion is ensuring the road network can accommodate it. • Hyder were part of the design team from the start, and have developed a detailed transport assessment for the proposed development. • They also provided the designs for the principle roads for the masterplan, to ensure they conform with the necessary standards.

24. transport assessment

25. transport assessment

26. transport assessment

27. conclusions • Plan for the future, taking us to 2023 (and beyond) • Affordable housing • Community facilities • Road network improvements • Tourist facilities • A genuine character and sense of place • Highly sustainable

28. Q&A thank you www.banconprojects.co.uk