CONCERNS over sufficient infrastructure to support the imminent population explosion at Portlethen were raised at the town's community council meeting on Tuesday evening.
Community councillor Ricky Skinner called for more to be done to "realign our services with the population".
In particular, the strain expected at the already stretched Portlethen Medical Centre has given GPs and patients alike cause to worry.
Mr
Skinner said: "We are very fortunate to have such a fantastic practice at Portlethen, but I dread to think of what lies ahead. Our medical centre is already at meltdown point as it is and we're about to have a huge increase in Portlethen's population."
Dr Judy Ross, a GP at the centre, agreed and conceded that staff there are "very worried" about the population explosion.
She said: "We have discussed previously how to potentially expand the medical centre. But we don't want to just dump a couple of port-a-cabins at the side of the building. We need to have much more communication with planners, so that we can plan for the next twenty of thirty years."
Community councillors and members of the public were quick to praise those who work at the medical centre for their high levels pf care. Community council chairman David Munn, said: "Everyone sings the praises of the medical centre and we are very concerned with making sure we don't lose that quality of care."
Dr Ross agreed that they wished to continue to provide a good service, but added: "We will keep on seeing all of the patients who keep on coming."
Gordon Munn said that the issue goes back to proper planning by developers and the council. "There is a need for major developments to be supported by an appropriate supporting infrastructure. Stewart Milne should be told that infrastructure comes first, not just homes."
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