A proposed development by housebuilder Cala Homes for 103 new properties in Pitfodels, a suburb of Aberdeen, has ignited significant local opposition, accumulating over 1,600 objections submitted to Aberdeen City Council. The contentious plans involve constructing a mix of one to five-bedroom homes on a nearly 10-acre site situated between North Deeside Road in Cults and Inchgarth Road in Garthdee, alongside a crucial £4 million link road and bridge.
The development, which was scaled back from an initial proposal of 115 homes, has been the subject of extensive community debate since its unveiling last year. Residents’ primary concerns centre on potential harm to local wildlife and the capacity of existing schools to accommodate an influx of new pupils. Objectors also voiced anxieties regarding the loss of cherished green space within the area.
However, statutory consultees have offered assurances regarding some of these environmental and infrastructural considerations. NatureScot, Scotland’s national nature agency, has stated it has no concerns, noting the site’s proximity to the River Dee Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The River Dee SAC is designated for the protection of Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussels, and otters. NatureScot believes it is “unlikely” that the development will harm any species in the vicinity.
Similarly, Aberdeen City Council has assessed the potential impact on local education, confirming that both Cults Primary School and Cults Academy possess “sufficient available capacity” to accommodate any new pupils residing in the development. This assessment aligns with the standard practice in Scottish planning, where local authorities evaluate school infrastructure capacity in relation to new housing proposals.
Ross Maclennan of Cala Homes (North) defended the proposals, emphasising the developer’s engagement with the community. “Our proposal, which has been developed through extensive consultation with the community, has lower density and contains a substantial amount of open and green space,” he stated. Maclennan also highlighted that a public consultation held last summer gathered 220 responses, with “75% of that feedback was strongly supportive of the new development.” He further added: “Studies have found there are no protected habitats on the site. The development will also ease traffic congestion and pressure on historic road bridges over the Deeside Way through the creation of a new £4 million bridge and link road.”
From a broader market perspective, Aberdeen’s housing market has shown mixed trends recently, with varying price movements but continued activity and demand for quality homes. The Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce has previously underscored the importance of schemes like this for regional economic growth, advocating for the approval of high-quality new housing.
Cala Group, a significant player in the UK housebuilding sector, reported a turnover of £1.3 billion and a pre-tax profit of £112 million in 2023, having sold 2,917 homes. The company recently underwent a change in ownership, being acquired by investment firms Patron Capital and Sixth Street Partners in a £1.35 billion deal in September 2024.
Given the substantial number of objections and the project’s scale, Aberdeen councillors are scheduled to determine the application’s next procedural steps later this week. They will decide whether the application should be heard by the planning committee or the full council, with a pre-determination hearing preceding any committee decision to allow developers to present their case and address questions. This process is a standard element of the Scottish planning system, which aims for meaningful public engagement and decisions aligned with the Development Plan.
