A cal has been made to fund a medical centre in a new £2 billion estate conceived by an Angus lord.
Work started this month on Lord Southesk’s plan at Chapelton, near Portlethen.
This includes seven neighbourhoods, creating the potential for up to 8,000 homes between Stonehaven and Aberdeen.
Although three primary schools, a secondary school, retail outlets and employment are all planned, a question mark hangs over providing a medical centre.
At a recent public meeting in Portlethen, an NHS Grampian representative said the board has no funds for capital spending.
A new medical centre would cost in the region of £6-£9 million, he said but they have no funding for such a proposal.
Mearns MSP Alison McInnes has now written to Health Secretary Alex Neill to ask what steps the Scottish Government is taking to ensure NHS Grampian can provide medical services.
She said: “A number of constituents have approached me to voice their concerns about the impact the new town will have on the existing GP provision, which is provided at Portlethen Medical Centre.
“I have met staff at the surgery and heard of their apprehension as the new town develops.
“I am told the developers have offered a retail unit for the first phase of the town some 800 houses for a surgery and will also set aside ground for a full medical centre as the community grows.
“However, there is no clarity about who will provide the funding.
“This is causing a great deal of disquiet among the existing populations of Portlethen, Newtonhill, Muchalls and the surrounding rural area.”
Stonehaven councillor Ian Mollison had raised the issue with the Liberal Democrat MSP.
He said: “The Scottish Government…have been aware for some considerable time of the plans for the new town, which would obviously include medical provision, so it should come as no surprise it will have to be funded.”