Countesswells Development Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stewart Milne Group, has appointed Shepherd Chartered Surveyors and Savills to sell the first parcels of land on the new development which will see 3000 new homes, of which 750 will be affordable, being developed to the west of Aberdeen.

Stewart Milne Homes will be building around half of the new private homes on the site with other developers being given the chance to build the remaining units.

The first three land parcels are due to be released at the end of May. Totalling 17 acres, the sites will provide around 260 new homes and will be accessed from the C128c.

Jim Fitzsimons, Countesswells project director, said: “Countesswells is going to be a vibrant and exciting new community for Aberdeen. Giving other developers the opportunity to be part of this will deliver the distinct and diverse neighbourhoods which will be at the heart of bringing the community to life. Creating a successful community is about more than building homes; it’s about ensuring the quality and amount of different types of homes and their location within the site and how they interlink with each other and with the community facilities. Countesswells development briefs will provide guidance to developers on densities, streetscapes and public realm to ensure that the high standards of design and build, and the identity of the community are adhered to. The appointment of our selling agents is a key stage in building the team that will deliver this development.”

Chris Grinyer, managing partner at Shepherd Chartered Surveyors Aberdeen office, said: “Countesswells will have great significance for the Aberdeen housing market over the next 15 years. The land packages coming to market represent very attractive opportunities for developers as they will be serviced and consequently capable of early development. The prestigious nature of Countesswells will appeal to both developers with an existing presence in the north east and also those wishing to expand into the region.”

Graham Reid, development director, Savills Aberdeen, added: “We are very excited to be working with the delivery team to bring Countesswells to life. We have been impressed with the clarity of vision and attention to detail that Stewart Milne Group has applied to both the masterplan and phase one. Given the prime location, on the western edge of Aberdeen, the connectivity and sense of place, the project will represent a very attractive proposition for developers.”

The development of the new community will be phased over 15 years, boosting the local economy and supporting 1,000 construction jobs in the region. Facilities within Countesswells, which will benefit the wider community, will include a new secondary school and two primary schools, healthcare facilities, local business units, retail and leisure, together with high quality open spaces linking the community to the existing environmental resources at Countesswells and Hazlehead. The project will also include upgraded access roads.