Planning permission has been granted for Aberdeen City Council to build almost 200 rental homes on the site of a former city school.

Separate planning applications had been lodged for social housing at five sites at the former Kincorth Academy grounds in December 2023.

Now, nearly a year on, the applications, for 36, 37, 38, 39 and 45 units respectively, have been given the green light.

Similar permission for 212 units had been granted in October 2021, but the new plans feature a "simplified" design.

Documents show the planners' decision notice read: "The proposed site layout and siting of buildings and mix of 1-bed flats and 3-bed terraced properties is similar to that previously approved.

"The design of the buildings has been simplified, but would still take sufficient cognisance of the surrounding site context.

"The proposal would see a good level of living accommodation and would not result in a detrimental impact on the residential amenity of existing properties."

The planners' decision noted that a significant amount of tree removal work had taken place since the 2021 permission and that the new plans included "sufficient replacement planting".

The application itself noted: "A number of minor revisions have been undertaken to the report to reflect the revised proposals, with planning policy references updated to reflect changes to the adopted development plan since the submission of the previous application.

"Site proposals have been rationalised while staying in keeping with the spirit and layout of previous proposals, also resulting in increased outdoor space provision.

"The Kincorth Housing Project will continue to be part of Aberdeen City Council’s housing programme to address a shortage of affordable social rented housing in the city."

The development s split across five phases, with the first comprising 16 one-bed flats and 20 three-bed flats.

The second phase will see a further 12 three-bed flats and 26 one-bed flats.

Phase three includes 31 one-bed flats and six wheelchair-accessible three-bed houses.

In phase four, another 31 one-bed flats will be built and eight standard three-bed houses.

Finally, in phase five, another 37 one-bed flats will be added along with eight more wheelchair-accessible three-bed houses.

It comes as property agent Rettie highlighted 14,000 build-to-rent properties, including many in Aberdeen, are stuck in limbo due to planning policy changes.

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