Countesswells road upgrade delay approved despite traffic concerns

Aberdeen City Council has granted Stirling-based Ogilvie Homes a significant amendment to planning regulations for the extensive Countesswells housing development. The decision permits the construction and occupation of a greater number of homes before mandatory road infrastructure upgrades are implemented, a move that has caused unhappiness among local residents regarding the effect on traffic congestion.

The Countesswells estate, a substantial project located west of Aberdeen, is earmarked for approximately 3,000 new homes, alongside planned shops and schools. Construction commenced in 2015, with roughly 900 properties completed to date.

The development faced considerable delays after the original developer, Stewart Milne Group, entered administration in January 2024. Ogilvie Homes subsequently acquired the development’s land and assets from administrators in July 2025, taking over the ambitious scheme.

Under the initial planning consent granted to Stewart Milne, a condition stipulated that critical road upgrades, including enhancements to the Jessiefield roundabout off the A944 Aberdeen to Alford road and the creation of a new eastern access road, were required after no more than 300 homes had been occupied. However, Ogilvie Homes petitioned the council to extend this trigger point, proposing that the upgrades be deferred until 1,250 homes were in occupation.

The developer’s argument rested on two primary factors: the impact of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) on local traffic and the completion of the Western Link Road to the site. Ogilvie Homes contended that the AWPR, which fully opened in February 2019 and connects with the A944, had already contributed to a decrease in traffic in the area. They also claimed that with the Western Link Road now operational, the existing road network possessed “capacity” to manage the additional traffic generated by an increased number of residents.

The proposal, presented before the city council’s planning committee, drew opposition from the community. Resident Alan Parkinson, attending virtually, voiced serious concerns about the existing condition of Countesswells Road. He stated that the road was “not suitable” for its current traffic volume, frequently used as a main route into and out of the city.

Mr Parkinson highlighted significant maintenance issues, adding: “It suffers from potholes with broken verges, which are frequently patched, but break down again fairly soon after, making driving along that road quite hazardous, especially with oncoming HGV vehicles.”

He also suggested that many drivers were using Countesswells Road to “avoid congestion along the A944 and the Jessiefield Junction, and this will increase as the years continue.”

Expressing a broader worry, he concluded: “My concern is that in a short while we’ll see a further application to increase that threshold over the 1,250, which is just going to create more issues along Countesswells Road.”

Julie Leece, Land Director for Ogilvie Homes, addressed the committee to advocate for the company’s request. She emphasised that “substantial changes” had occurred since the original planning application was approved, necessitating amendments to existing consents.

She acknowledged that the administration process had caused significant delays, which Ogilvie Homes was actively working to resolve. Ms Leece also indicated that reaching the 1,500 occupied homes milestone could take between five and seven years, dependent on sales rates.

Finally, she assured the committee that the housebuilder was committed to developing the wider infrastructure of the site, ensuring the new link road seamlessly integrates with the existing network and prevents further project delays.

Despite the resident’s expressed concerns regarding the strain on Countesswells Road, councillors unanimously approved Ogilvie Homes’ application.