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Grandhome Whitestripes proposals only North-east development included in National Initiative

The proposed development of a new community that would expand the city of Aberdeen has been named as one of only eleven projects in a major national initiative. Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced that the Grandhome Whitestripes proposal was included in the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative at the Lighthouse Architecture Centre in Glasgow today.

The Initiative is a new approach to delivering future homes and community facilities in attractive and energy efficient neighbourhoods that seek to match the best quality standards of mainland Europe.

The proposal by the Grandhome Trust aims to create a distinctive group of neighbourhoods that combine homes, workspace and local facilities in the woodland setting of the Grandhome Estate on the outskirts of the city.

David Paton, a Grandhome Trustee, explained: "We are in the early stages of working up proposals to deliver a mixed and integrated community with good facilities, and a very high standard of design. We welcome being included in this ground-breaking Scottish Government initiative, as it will help ensure the new communities are both sustainable and an attractive location in which to live and work.

"The next stage will include consultation with local people to shape our masterplan, including a major design event. It is important that existing residents and the wider community are involved in considering the layout of homes, business space, open space and community facilities, so that they benefit from creating a diverse community, with the best possible surroundings and local employment.

Kevin Murray, planning consultant advising the trustees, and a Past President of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: "The timing for the development would fit with the planned new infrastructure, such as the Haudagain junction improvements and a new crossing for the River Don. It is an opportunity to take an imaginative long term view of how the city will shape itself over the next 20 years."

Grandhome masterplan and design adviser Willie Miller added: ‘Our approach will seek to draw on best practice that is evolving in sustainable place-making - as well as historic lessons from Aberdeen City and Shire's distinctive identity.'

The Grandhome Whitestripes outline proposals have been submitted for inclusion in the Main Issues Report for consideration in the Aberdeen Local Development Plan.

Cllr. Cassie of Aberdeen City Council, welcomed the award of the designation to the city as "a means of raising our standards overall. This proposal still has to go through all the normal planning and consultation processes. However, it is very positive that a new neighbourhoods proposal for Aberdeen has been recognised by the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative. It will help us work together with the community to create much better quality outcomes that benefit the city and its residents, and also set new standards for all our development."