MORE THAN 40% of the homes being built in a controversial Stonehaven housing development have been sold off before a brick has been laid.
The luxury homes are being built on the land where the former iconic St Leonard’s Hotel stood before it was destroyed by fire in December 2009.
Kirkwood Homes has recently launched the much anticipated development with 40% of the development sold off within weeks of it being released for sale.
There will be 20 homes on the land, including six townhouses and 14 apartments, some of which will be incorporated within the renovated hotel building itself.
Kirkwood Homes managing director Colin Crombie said: “We have been delighted by the success of the launch of the new St Leonards site.
“Whilst we knew the site would be popular we did not expect the level of reservations that we have taken in such a short period of time.
“With interest and demand still very strong, we would encourage customers to move quickly so that they avoid being disappointed.
“We have had a long history with the St Leonards site and we have worked wherever possible with the local community to ensure that we will deliver what we believe will be a development of exceptional quality and a truly desirable place to call home, which will add to the community and breathe life back into the former hotel site.”
The 10-bedroom hotel was put up for sale in 2007 and Kirkwood Homes bought the site from Alan and Wilma Bruce the following year.
The vacant hotel was destroyed by fire in a huge blaze in 2009 before controversial plans to convert the site into a residential development were given the green light in 2011.
Kirkwood Homes put forward plans for eight new houses, 12 flats and parking for 38 vehicles which was approved despite more than 40 objections from residents.
It was expected that following permission being granted that work would begin on the site by the end of 2011.
However, work never began because Kirkwood were “rethinking their plans”.
The company lodged plans to Aberdeenshire Council last year seeking approval for “reconfigured” plans which were approved in March. Despite 23 letters of concern being sent to Aberdeenshire Council regarding influx of traffic and the impact on surroundings, and objections from Stonehaven and District Community Council, councillors voted eight to four in favour of the application.
There was increasing concern raised about the growing number of hotel rooms which have been lost to the area and the availability of meeting and function rooms for business and other events.
gstrachan@dcthomson.co.uk