Development Archives - Page 5 of 17

Ceremony Cements Community Contribution To City Project

Aberdeen City, Community, Featured No Responses »

Jun 252015

Zachariah Raja with the brick he laid as part of the ongoing Masjid Alhikmah project in Aberdeen.

With thanks to Paul Smith, Citrus Mix.

Community support for a landmark development in the heart of Aberdeen has been set in stone during a fitting ceremony to mark the latest stage of construction.
The Masjid Alhikmah, on the city’s Nelson Street, will feature community and youth facilities as well as prayer halls for north-east Muslims.

On Friday, June 19 families gathered to play their part in the build process when they took the opportunity to lay bricks in the foundations of the three-storey building.

The event coincided with the start of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

Each of the bricks had been sponsored during a fundraiser for the development earlier this year, with the Alhikmah Foundation continuing to work towards hitting its £1.7million target. More than half of that sum has already been donated, with the effort aided by the donation of the site.

Recent events included a sponsored expedition to Snowdonia earlier this month, with 12 intrepid participants, and next on the agenda is the latest in a series of fundraising dinners on July 1 at the Hilton Treetops in Aberdeen. Full and half tables for the Iftar dinner are available.

With costs being met entirely by community fundraising, the dedication of the project’s supporters has been welcomed by foundation committee members. The organisation’s annual report for 2014 has recently been published, outlining progress to date.

A spokesman said:

“Masjid Alhikmah is a community focused facility and we are incredibly grateful to all who have contributed. The sponsorship of the foundation bricks is an excellent example – with many families quick to support that initiative. We are delighted to welcome everyone to the site to set their bricks, a very symbolic part of the project.

“Every penny spent on the project will come from fundraising by our supporters and the response has been excellent. There is still a great deal of hard work to be done to realise our vision, but the energy and the commitment of the many people who are fundraising is an inspiration to everyone involved in the project.”

Masjid Alhikmah will feature space for worship, funeral preparations, dedicated women’s facilities and a family community centre. There is an active Muslim community living in and around the city of Aberdeen and the facility is designed to help create unity and foster a sense of harmony between Muslims and fellow north-east residents. The name chosen for the new centre stems from Arabic. Masjid translates as “a place of congregational worship” and Alhikmah as “wisdom”.

CHAP Group’s construction division is the main contractor for the structural and external aspects of the scheme. Work began in January, with the structural steel frame of the building now in place and the exterior due to be completed by August. The second phase will include all interior work.

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City Sells Itself Short As Tourist Attraction

Aberdeen City, Opinion 3 Responses »

Jun 112015

Aberdeen Train Station, May 2015, This may be the first view of the city to meet a visitor’s eye.

Victoria McAleer writes to Aberdeen Voice of her disappointment regarding how Aberdeen presents itself as a tourist destination.

I have lived in the city for 18 months now (after living in the shire for 8 years)and I’m well aware of it’s history and main focus on the oil and gas industry.

It seems the city has been buffered by the economic buoyancy that the oil and gas sector provided, compared to other cities in the UK.

I am also aware that at present there is a downturn in the sector and many people have been made redundant.

My native Liverpool, like many other cities, especially in the Northern half of the country was without such an industry and in the 80’s and 90’s unemployment was rife.

The city looked at what it had to offer and the groundwork was done to regenerate the Albert Dock area, spring boarding a total revamp of the city centre and more focus was paid to tourism and welcoming people to the city.

It’s proved invaluable. The city has gone from strength to strength and attracts people from all over the world.

Orrel Road Station Liverpool, May 2015. A cleaner, more welcoming environment.

It is of course helped by having attractions such as The Tate Gallery, The Beatles Museum, The Slavery Museum, The Walker Art Gallery, to name but a few and by other attractions such as the historic waterfront ferries and football.

This has all been achieved by hard work and the determination of people who were proud of their city, because, believe me it was not a place you would have spent a weekend in the 80’s.

It seems to me that Aberdeen tourism is a half hearted affair, probably because Aberdeen has never had to rely on anything else but oil and gas.

Which is a great shame.

The basics are already here. Great beaches and architecture.

What is missing though is a proper museum/gallery.

I know Aberdeen is of much smaller population than Liverpool, but this population is swelled greatly by all the oil and gas employees who live in the city during the week and use the resources, infrastructure and so forth.

Why couldn’t one of these multi billion pound companies sponsor a new museum/gallery and give something back to the people of Aberdeen from whom they have taken so much ?

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[Aberdeen Voice accepts and welcomes contributions from all sides/angles pertaining to any issue. Views and opinions expressed in any article are entirely those of the writer/contributor, and inclusion in our publication does not constitute support or endorsement of these by Aberdeen Voice as an organisation or any of its team members.]

Strathcona House To Be Demolished

Aberdeen City, History, News 9 Responses »

Jun 052015

With thanks to Rhonda Reekie.

“A little like Hogwarts” – Under revised plans, Strathcona will now be demolished.

Strathcona House is the large, red sandstone building sited on the A96 just before the airport roundabout. Recent plans to relocate the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre will see the demolition of the Rowett Institute site at Bucksburn. We were led to believe that Strathcona House would be spared and integrated in to the plans thus leaving us with some history intact, but under the revised plan this is not the case and the building will now be demolished.

The Rowett Institute has a proud history dating back over 90 years the legacy of this history such as devising food rationing in WWII and producing several Nobel prize winners.

No doubt many folks have passed by Strathcona House, some may have even been inside and admired its grand stairwell, 100ft oak clad hall and six large stained glass windows. Folk describe it as ‘a little like Hogwarts’.

The House was built in 1930 as a centre for visiting scientists from the commonwealth and as a dining room for staff. In the war years it was used as a base for serving RAF personnel stationed at Dyce airport. Latterly it is still used as a canteen for Rowett staff but is much appreciated as a function hall, for local pipe band practice and even the sees the odd wedding.

It would be a tragedy to lose such an iconic building and an important piece of our local history forever. With a bit of foresight and imagination Strathcona could provide a wonderful venue for all sorts of events and be the real ‘jewel in the crown’ of any development.

The new plans now require the house it to be flattened to make way for a service yard for the AECC!

If you would like to help persuade the council that this may not be the best course of action please join us on Facebook.

View photos here.

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Team Aberdeen’s First ‘Adopt An Area’ Project Comes To Fruition

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

May 072015

With thanks to Phil Moar, Citrus Mix.

Team Aberdeen supporting Aberdeen Inspired’s Civic Pride Campaign

An initiative aimed at instilling a sense of civic pride in Aberdeen has seen the products of its first ‘Adopt an Area’ project come to fruition.
Spearheaded by business organisation Aberdeen Inspired, the Team Aberdeen campaign is committed to fostering pride in the heart of the city by encouraging residents, visitors, businesses and other stakeholders to join together to enhance its aesthetic appeal.

Late last year, the campaign enlisted the help of volunteers from Aberdeen City Centre Community Council (ACCCC) and Skipton Building Society to spruce up an area on the corner of the city’s College Street and Bridge Street.

The site, often been criticised for its unsightly appearance, had a number of containers installed in November, along with a deep clean and tidy up from Aberdeen City Council, with the recent fine weather allowing for the first shoots to begin to show.

However, despite the recent deep clean and additions, the location has continued to be blighted by discarded cigarette ends and litter. The team from Skipton has reinforced its support of Team Aberdeen even further by carrying out another tidy up of the area in an effort to combat this ongoing problem. It has also committed its support to the next ‘Adopt an Area’ project once a location has been finalised.

And as Aberdeen Inspired moves towards its important renewal ballot which is to be held early next year, it has issued a rallying call for other businesses to get involved with adopting other parts of the BID zone.

Angela Joss, project manager of Aberdeen Inspired, said:

“The ‘Adopt an Area’ initiative was an important milestone for the Team Aberdeen campaign and it really has shown how big a difference little additions can make to a specific area.

“We were delighted to present this plaque to Skipton Building Society in recognition of its continued work in the area. The team is a fantastic example of how voluntary contributions can help improve the aesthetics of the BID zone and we really can’t thank them enough for their efforts.

“As Aberdeen Inspired moves towards its important re-ballot date early next year, we’d now like to roll the ‘Adopt an Area’ scheme out across other parts of the BID zone but to do this, we really need the help and support of businesses within the area. We’re looking for a group of volunteers to give up a few hours to help sweep, wash or even plant some seeds as we look to continue the good momentum that the campaign has already gained.

“We have a few sites in mind and we’d be delighted to speak to anyone who is interested in getting involved. Your help could make a massive difference to an area that so many people regularly use, whether it is working, living in or simply visiting.”

Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the Aberdeen BID (Business Improvement District) operates. It is a business-led initiative within the city centre in which levy payers within the BID zone contribute. Proceeds are used to fund projects designed to improve the business district and driving footfall to the zone.

For further information on the work of Aberdeen Inspired visit www.aberdeeninspired.com

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Team Aberdeen Turns Its Attention To St Nicholas Rooftop

Aberdeen City, Information 1 Response »

May 072015

With thanks to Phil Moar, Citrus Mix.

An initiative aimed at instilling a sense of civic pride in Aberdeen has secured nearly £200,000 of funding as it moves forward with plans to refresh the green space on the rooftop of the St Nicholas Centre.

Spearheaded by business organisation Aberdeen Inspired, the Team Aberdeen campaign is committed to fostering pride in the heart of the city by encouraging residents, visitors, businesses and other stakeholders to join together to enhance its aesthetic appeal.

The upper deck of the St Nicholas Centre has been earmarked as the location for the organisation’s next city centre project as it aims to make a number of additions to the space in an effort to encourage more people to use it on a regular basis.

Nearly £200,000 of funding has already been secured, with Aberdeen City Council committing £50,000 to the project. A further £50,000 has been pledged by social enterprise Greenspace Scotland, more than £50,000 will come from Bon Accord & St Nicholas, £20,000 from Aberdeen Inspired and £10,000 from Atkins and Creative Core.

Plans for the once popular lunch-break spot are at an early stage but could include improved seating, innovative planting and improved lighting which all would come together to aid the revitalisation of the area alongside enhancing its appeal to families. A portion of the money secured from Bon Accord & St Nicholas will also be going towards the repair of paving stones in the area.

Gary Craig, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said:

“Over the past months, we’ve been working hard to secure funding that will be used to enhance the upper deck of the St Nicholas Centre and we’re delighted to have nearly £200,000 of that in place already.

“I’d like to thank Aberdeen City Council, Greenspace Scotland, Bon Accord & St Nicholas, Atkins and Creative Core for their commitment to the project and we’re looking forward to working with them all as plans for the space move forward in the coming weeks.

“We want to really encourage people to make more use of the space and we want to introduce little changes to the area that will breathe new life into it. A big part of this will be adding to the greenspace that is already there and we’re currently looking at innovative approaches to planting that will hopefully bring something different to this specific part of the city.

“We feel there is real potential to enhance this area and help it become a space that people will be able to enjoy for years to come. This could be as a location for individuals to enjoy on their lunch break or simply as an attractive connection walkway from Union Street to Upperkirkgate. The potential for the area is already there and it is our aim, along with support from a number of our partners, to allow it to flourish.”

For further information on the work of Aberdeen Inspired visit www.aberdeeninspired.com

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Trump Changes Direction Again With Latest Plans

Aberdeenshire, Featured, Opinion No Responses »

Apr 102015

With thanks to Martin Ford.

The Trump Organization has now outlined radically different development proposals for the Menie estate.

In the last fortnight, it has submitted a number of further planning applications and proposal of application notices for development at Menie, including for 1900 ‘leisure accommodation units’, 850 homes and a 6-bedroom extension and banqueting suite for the existing 19-bedroom hotel.

Most of the Menie estate is included in the ward represented by Democratic Independent councillor Paul Johnston. Cllr Johnston said:

“The applications Mr Trump is talking about now are new applications. These are not for things included in the outline permission granted in 2008, but are separate and different proposals.”

Aberdeenshire Green councillor Martin Ford explained:

“The outline planning consent of 2008 was granted on the basis that the scale of investment in the proposed 450-bedroom hotel and resort was of ‘national’ significance. And this was the basis used to justify constructing a golf course over the Site of Special Scientific Interest and, for cross-funding purposes, allowing 500 houses on an unallocated greenfield site away from existing settlements.

“Clearly, the promised investment in the large hotel and resort elements has not materialised, nor the jobs.

“Everything that Mr Trump has actually built has been through separately applied for consents for full planning permission. The 2008 consent is not being used to get the permissions, just as a material consideration, establishing principle, in support of the separate subsequent applications. The conditions on the outline consent, for example stipulating the order different elements were to be built, are therefore by-passed.

“So conditions imposed to prevent Mr Trump simply destroying the SSSI and cherry-picking the most profitable elements of his package are not going to apply, because Mr Trump is not implementing the permission to which these conditions are attached.”

Cllr Ford added:

“Under the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, I cannot comment on the merits, or otherwise, of pending or live planning applications.

“Mr Trump, like anyone else, is entitled to make any planning application he wishes, and the Council will have to determine the application(s) made.

“Mr Trump has a track-record of announcing plans which then don’t proceed. He has repeatedly contradicted himself and changed his position regarding Menie. Whether he means what he says this time is anybody’s guess.”

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[Aberdeen Voice accepts and welcomes contributions from all sides/angles pertaining to any issue. Views and opinions expressed in any article are entirely those of the writer/contributor, and inclusion in our publication does not constitute support or endorsement of these by Aberdeen Voice as an organisation or any of its team members.]

Councillor Ford Sceptical Of Renewed Trump Claims

Aberdeenshire, Opinion 1 Response »

Mar 242015

Aberdeenshire Green councillor Martin Ford has expressed doubts about the latest claims by developer Donald Trump.

Donald Trump has now suggested that he will build a second golf course in Aberdeenshire and run for President of the United States.

Mr Trump has been talking about running for President for more than thirty years and about building two golf courses and a massive resort at Menie since 2006.

Cllr Martin Ford said:

“Mr Trump has previously stated his intention of building all sorts of things at Menie. Most of what he has announced at various times remains unbuilt. Planning applications have been made and withdrawn, permissions not implemented – or the promised planning application never materialises.

“What Mr Trump says he will do is not a good indication of what he will actually do.

“If Mr Trump takes as long to decide on his golf plans as he has about standing for president, he’ll be getting on for 100 before work starts on his second Menie course, and he’ll be over 100 before he’ll be able to play it.

“In any case, the package being talked about now is a tiny fraction of the development Mr Trump was claiming he would build a few years ago. His latest proposal is for far less than is included in his outline planning consent.

“The protected dunes at Menie – part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest – have been lost. The promised benefits are clearly not going to materialise.

“The absurdly exaggerated claims Mr Trump made in 2007 should never have been believed by the Scottish Government. Now even Mr Trump is confirming he isn’t going to build the resort for which he got planning permission.”

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Green Light For New Exhibition Centre Plans

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Mar 132015

Steve Harris, Chief Executive of VisitAberdeen – Copyright: Newsline Scotland

With thanks to Stevie Brown, Tricker PR.

Plans for a new state-of-the-art £333m Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) have been approved. The planned 15,000 capacity conference and concert venue, will almost double to capacity of the current AECC which has a maximum capacity of 8,500, and will include conference facilities, a concert hall, two hotels and a green energy plant, aimed at offsetting costs.

Planners are in discussion with Aloft Hotels and Hilton regarding the construction of two onsite hotels which would provide up to an additional 350 rooms for the city.

Subject to planning permission, the new venue will be based in Dyce near Aberdeen International Airport.

Steve Harris, Chief Executive of VisitAberdeen says,

“The announcement that the plans for the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre have been approved can only strengthen the international event and conference product Aberdeen offers. The AECC contributes over £80m to the north-east economy each year, which increases to approximately £140m during the biennial Offshore Europe exhibition.

“Aberdeen has a strong conference product, and was ranked in 11th position in The British Meetings and Events Industry Survey in 2014 for business tourism and events. The new exhibition centre will address the need for a bigger purpose built facility, to accommodate the requirements of the conference and entertainment event industry, and without it, Aberdeen will most certainly lose out on future events and the economic benefits that they bring to the city.

“The new location of the centre positioned near Aberdeen International Airport is a significant move, and will make travel to and from the venue even easier than the existing site for international visitors. The state-of-the-art conference centre is a hugely valuable investment to Aberdeen and we look forward to welcoming even more corporate and leisure events to the city.”

VisitAberdeen is a partnership between Aberdeen City Council and the industry including Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association and Aberdeen Inspired. For further information contact VisitAberdeen on 01224 900490 or visit www.visitaberdeen.com.

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Affordable Housing A Must For City

Aberdeen City, Opinion No Responses »

Feb 272015

By Phil Johnstone.

In the wake of Aberdeen receiving the Carbuncle Award for most dismal town in Scotland and the on going row over the Marchiscal Square redevelopment the city could do with some good news.

A £2billion funding package as part of the ‘City Deal’ fund would alleviate any angst felt over the Carbuncle award.

If the bid for funds is successful they must be used to help the people who live and work in the area instead of subsidising large corporations so that they continue doing business in the area.

At the moment the money is earmarked for redeveloping the harbour, building a new exhibition centre, transport infrastructure and new housing. Whilst spending the money on a new exhibition centre is debatable, few who live in Aberdeen would disagree with the need for better roads and cheaper housing.

Using the money to start a massive program building good quality council houses would provide jobs, generate income for the council via rents and relieve the pressure on the overheated Aberdeen housing market. The cost of renting a room in Aberdeen has increased by 39% in the past 2 years. As prices spiral out of control it’s making the city unaffordable for many and means attracting key workers such as nurses and teachers is increasingly difficult.

Due to the nature of the oil industry Aberdeen has always had a rather transient population but a significant amount of workers work onshore but commute weekly due to their inability to afford anything cheaper. It’s important to make Aberdeen a place where people want to live not just a place where they work.

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Protestors Oppose Muse Development

Aberdeen City, Featured, Opinion 1 Response »

Jan 302015

By Suzanne Kelly.

A protest was held at 1pm at Marischal College on Saturday 24 January. The protestors came from all walks of life and all age groups; at least 200 were there. Credit: Suzanne Kelly.

Marischal College played host a large demonstration on Saturday 24 January, as hundreds took to the city council’s offices to protest a development which will change the area’s character forever.

Directly across from Marischal College, one of Scotland’s most important modern buildings, another glass box office / retail complex will add to our growing collection of anonymous, soul-less architecture.

With the old St Nicholas House now torn down, space and light enters this part of the city; the Provost’s House and Marischal College are both set off to far better effect.

A natural civic square – if such a thing is really needed further to the Castlegate (which hosted a protest last Saturday for Charlie Hebdo solidarity) – exists where St Nicholas stood, which would have required hardly any money to create. Sadly, it seems that commercial interests override scale, the existing architectural environment, and the historic importance of the Provost’s House.

A protest was held at 1pm at Marischal College on Saturday 24 January; the protestors came from all walks of life and all age groups; at least 200 were there.

I spoke to some of those present; all believe that an opportunity has been lost at the site of the former St Nicholas House and Provost Skene’s House, a small historic structure which will be claustrophobically dwarfed by the glass box architecture Muse developments have agreed with the city.

What this will mean either for road traffic or for the city’s chronic air pollution issues (we have 3 of Scotland’s most polluted roads with air particulate levels well above European emission rules). But it seems certain the plans will go ahead.

Alan Spence said:

“I think it’s a complete waste of money; it’s a monstrosity that nobody wants.”

One of the prime organisers, Gordon Robertson, added:

“Last week’s protest had only about 30 or 40 protestors, hopefully with today’s turnout we can drum up more support and get more signatures… I just think the new building is far too big; it’s not in keeping with the style of the existing buildings. It’s not what the people want. We have six shopping centres already; we have offices … this just isn’t the place for this development.”

I spoke to Alan Morocco who likewise was protesting. He spoke about Dundee’s public spaces, and felt we compared badly besides that city. Morocco said:

“We got rid of one monstrosity and it appears we’re replacing it with another. I don’t think it’s in keeping with the area.”

Most of the protestors were citizens without any particular political axe to grind. However, some people showed up who just might have been there for political point scoring.

Kevin Stewart of the previous ACC administration was in the crowd.

When he was in power, we saw land being sold at prices so low that Audit Scotland condemned the practices which cost the taxpayer dearly in terms of money and space.

Stewart of course had been instrumental in implementing the draconian cuts to social programmes which saw thousands take to the streets in protest.

His particular time in the city council didn’t exactly take the views of the citizens into account when it came to budget cuts or to developments either; that government’s fondness of developers saw parcels of land handed to developers like Stewart Milne for small amounts of money and allowed longstanding environmental protection to be swept aside at Loirston Loch.

Tom Smith of Aberdeen City Gardens Trust was there – although there seems to be no record of his group – which was poised to take over Common Good Land in the form of Union Terrace Gardens for the £190 million ‘granite web’ project – objecting to the Muse plans formally.

As a formal objector to the plans myself, I had been one of many people given an opportunity to address the full council on the matter – but by the time the full council was to meet, the plans seemed all but finalised to me. It would be wonderful to think that someone, somewhere in planning could look at the scale of this proposal, the problems it will bring, and even at this late date admit this is a huge – and very huge – error.

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