Share

Council approves Proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan

The proposed blueprint for Aberdeen's future development has been approved by Aberdeen city councillors and will now be submitted to Scottish Ministers for examination.

The Proposed Local Development Plan identifies land to meet the housing allowances and employment land allocations laid out in the most recent Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan [2009]. It also contains policies which meet the aims and objectives of the Structure Plan.

Aberdeen will accommodate at least half of the new housing and employment land needed to meet the strategic needs of the North-east over the next 20 years. This means that greenfield sites for 21,000 new homes and 175 hectares of employment land are required up to 2030.

The Plan proposes sites for a further 10,000 homes on brownfield sites and 5,000 in regeneration areas – and sets out new ways of developing areas, guided by detailed masterplans prepared in consultation with local communities.

Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure convener Councillor Kate Dean said: "This Plan will ensure this city can deliver the new homes that it so badly needs, especially affordable homes for families, and the employment land required to ensure our economy remains one of the most buoyant in the country. It also ensures the protection of green space, which is so important to the quality of life in this city.

“This is a hugely important step forward for the city of Aberdeen. The Plan is the result of a massive amount of work by our officials and every stage has been subject to public consultation on a huge scale with our communities and with developers. I hope that it will be accepted by Scottish Ministers as soon as possible so that we can get on with the job of keeping this city moving forward.”

The Plan is laid out in several sections, each of which identifies the development opportunities available in the city.

Housing – The Plan has identified areas which are suitable sites for new housing.

• Bridge of Don/Grandhome – 7,610 properties

• Dyce/Bucksburn – 5,020

• Kingswells and Greenferns – 2,270

• Countesswells – 3,000

• Deeside – 733

• Loirston and Cove – 1,500

• Woodside – 300

It also lays out a number of policies, including a requirement for developers to contribute no fewer than 25% of properties in developments as affordable housing.

Employment Land – The Plan details the areas earmarked for employment land.

• Bridge of Don/Grandhome – 32 hectares

• Dyce/Bucksburn – 54.5 hectares

• Kingswells and Greenferns – 60 hectares

• Countesswells (including one hectare at East Arnhall) – 11 hectares

• Deeside – 5 hectares

• Loirston and Cove – 34.5 hectares

Transport – A range of schemes has been identified to address existing transport issues in the city and ensure good connections are provided. The Plan has safeguarded land for:

• improved rail services

• the A96 Park and Ride/Choose and Dyce Drive link road

• Berryden corridor

• South College Street improvements

• Haudagain roundabout improvements

• the Third Don crossing

Waste – A number of new waste infrastructure facilities will be needed to reduce the amount of rubbish being sent to landfill. These include a materials recycling facility, a composting facility and a new waste transfer station. The following sites have been safeguarded in the Plan for waste-related used:

• Altens East/Doonies – materials recycling facility, composting facility and/or a transfer station

• Sclattie Quarry, Bucksburn – transfer station

• Denmore Road, Bridge of Don – recycling centre

• Grove Nursery at Hazlehead Park – recycling centre

Education – The Plan identifies the need for the provision of schools across the city, broken down by Masterplan Zones.

The Plan will now be submitted to Scottish Ministers, who will appoint a Reporter to examine the document. Copies will also be made available in St Nicholas House, public libraries and on the City Council website.

The Reporter will examine the Plan and the representations that have been made on a wide range of proposals by individuals, communities, developers and others. The official will determine whether any further information is required to be submitted and whether a public hearing should be held to address specific issues.

Scottish Ministers expect the period between the appointment of the Reporter and the outcome of the examination to last around six months and to rarely exceed nine months. Aberdeen planning officials will then submit a report to city councillors on the Reporter’s recommendations, which are binding on the council and can only be challenged if the council believes there are exceptional circumstances to consider.

Following an advertisement period, the City Council can then formally adopt the Plan.

158 views