In 2014, planning permission was granted for 3,000 homes in the area.[2][3] However, the development was initially delayed after the developers and land owners could not agree on the funding for schools and infrastructure.[4] In April 2016, Stewart Milne Group stated that it expected to start work on the development immediately.[5] By November 2021, 900 homes were either completed or under construction.[6]
Facilities
There is a Sainsbury's[7] and a primary school,[8] along with a number of vacant shop units - the NHS has been granted planning permission for one of these.[9] A pharmacy has applied for a licence for one of the units which was rejected by the local NHS board after pharmacies in Cults and Kingswells said it would lose them business [10] - this is awaiting appeal as of August 2023.[11] There are a number of empty commercial units both beside the school and towards where the planned town-centre will eventually be.
Cults Burn Park
Cults Burn Park is currently partially constructed and will eventually run through most of the development.[12]
Forest Access
There are three wooded areas around Countesswells.
To the West is Countesswells Forest,[13] which was heavily damaged in a major winter storm.
To the South is Foggieton.[14]
To the East is the wooded area at the back of Hazlehead Park.