Developers say they will not be derailed on Aviemore new town
It's business as usual, the developers behind plans for a new town near Aviemore for up to 4,000 people have insisted, despite the builders of the first phase of homes pulling out.
Elgin-based Springfield Properties PLC has withdrawn after being involved with the long-running project at An Camas Mòr for the past three years, citing commercial reasons for their decision.
They had been lined up to construct the first 200 houses – including 80 affordable homes – for the new town on Rothiemurchus, and last month had announced their intention to start work towards the end of this year.
A source said: "The bottom line is that this is a project Springfield no longer wanted to proceed with. It was a simple business decision.
"These projects are difficult and take a lot of time, and as a developer they can not sit with their beach towels and cement mixers waiting forever.
"They are going to concentrate on what they do best, which is to build houses."
Despite the setback, which comes just a few weeks after planning permission in principle was granted for the new town, An Camus Mòr LLP said the masterplan would be submitted to planners within the next month.
In the wake of the announcement, a spokesperson for the developers told the ‘Strathy’: "Those involved with the An Camas Mòr development are very pleased with the response following Springfield’s decision, but what is most important for the future is not the number of companies who are interested but that we find the right people to work with on the project."
Rothiemurchus laird Johnnie Grant, who heads the project, said: "An Camas Mòr LLP is already in discussion with other partners, and in the meantime is taking forward this project to the next stage of the detailed planning process with the original team and the work carried out by Springfield.
"It is hoped work will start in spring next year on the first phase of the development, which will include 40% affordable housing. We appreciate that in the three years since Springfield became involved, the market has changed significantly and there are many new opportunities throughout Scotland. They now have a lot of other projects in the pipeline and need to concentrate elsewhere."
The building firm’s boss, Mr Sandy Adam, said it had been a "difficult decision" to walk away from the project.
