As advocates for our community in Ward 10. We represent the views and concerns of residents and actively engage with the City Council, public sector bodies, and private agencies/partners. We address a wide range of issues important to our community and provide input on all planning and licensing applications.
See calendar for schedule and format of our next meeting.
BESS Countesswells
Battery Electric Storage System (BESS)
On Thursday, 19th September, Margaret (Deputy Chair) and William (Chair) Craigiebuckler & Seafield attended a crucial meeting of the Council's Planning Committee. During the session, I had the opportunity to speak on behalf of a resident from Hazlewood who, along with many others, objected to the proposed battery electricity storage system planned for the South side of Countesswells Road.
The proposed development, submitted by Flexion Energy UK, involved the installation of a grid battery energy storage facility with a capacity of up to 40MW. The project was slated for Land at Newton of Pitfodels, Aberdeen, AB15 7AL (Application Ref: 240614/DPP). However, the development faced significant opposition from the local community, with a total of 108 objections submitted.
After a thorough review, the planning officer issued a recommendation to reject the application. During the Committee meeting, I presented the concerns of the residents, emphasizing the potential impact this development could have on the area. Following deliberations, the Committee voted in favor of rejecting the application, and the motion was carried.
This outcome reflects the Committee’s commitment to considering the voices of the community and addressing their concerns. We thank all residents who participated in the process and made their objections known.
We will continue to engage with the community and ensure that future developments align with the needs and interests of all stakeholders.
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I'm Fine Festival
Monday, Oct 7th, to Saturday, Oct 12th @ Central Library (FREE)
Aberdeen City Council's Healthy Minds and City Libraries teams have joined forces to present the "I'm Fine" Festival, a free event aligned with the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP). This initiative aims to support the mental health of Aberdeen's residents.
The festival offers a variety of activities, including talks on mental health topics, workshops on art, writing, yoga, and more, and information stalls from local organizations. Advance booking is required for workshops only.
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New Hazlehead Playground
Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 07:00 at Hazlehead Park New Playground Opening
We are thrilled to announce that one of Scotland’s largest and most inclusive playgrounds will officially open tomorrow in Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen. This new one-million-pound attraction is designed to cater to children of all ages and abilities, featuring a range of exciting equipment and play areas.
Grand Opening Details
The playground will open to the public at 07:00 and promises to be a major draw for families in Aberdeen and beyond. Among the highlights are gigantic towers, a thrilling zip line, wheelchair-accessible trampolines, and many interactive musical items. Beloved classics like the old jeep and sand digger have also been retained for nostalgic fun.
Statements from Council Members
“The new playpark is a great addition to Hazlehead Park, and the city and it will give enormous fun to children of all ages. It will be an attraction for Aberdeen as one of Scotland’s biggest playparks as well as being inclusive and high quality – it gives people a good reason to come and discover all that Hazlehead Park has to offer.”
“We have been so looking forward to seeing youngsters enjoy this fantastic addition to the playparks around the city. We hope families from Aberdeen and further afield have fun in this new attraction and particularly during the school Summer holidays, no matter what the weather is like!”
Features of the New Playground
The new playground includes:
- Equipment for both younger and older children
- A large wheelchair unit to ensure inclusivity
- Impressive large towers that add a "wow" factor
- A purpose-made trail through the wooded section for varied play experiences
- Fixed formal play elements, interactive panels, and role-play options
Enhancements and Facilities
In addition to the new play equipment, several enhancements have been made to the area:
- Improved drainage
- New seating, picnic benches, and bins
- Fresh landscaping and safety surfacing
- Expanded grass zones
Hazlehead Park offers an excellent range of family-friendly facilities, including a café, maze, Pets’ Corner, and year-round events such as the Aberdeen Highland Games. As the largest park in Aberdeen, spanning 180 hectares, Hazlehead Park boasts a rich history and serves as a Red Squirrel Conservation Area.
Community Involvement
The designs for the new playground were fine-tuned through consultation with local schools, community groups, and a public consultation. This collaborative effort ensures that it meets the needs and desires of the community.
Funding
The project is funded by a fifty-million-pound initiative from the Scottish Government and COSLA, aimed at refurbishing children’s playgrounds across Scotland. Aberdeen City Council has been actively replacing or refurbishing playgrounds around the city for several years as part of this initiative.
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Goodbye 30 mph!
Aberdeen City Council Considers Expansion of 20 mph Speed Limit
Proposing a significant increase in the number of streets with a 20 mph speed limit. This move aims to improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists, while also encouraging healthier modes of transportation.
- Consultation with residents on the proposed changes, which could see hundreds of streets adopt the slower speed limit.
- Data shows that pedestrians hit at 30 mph are seven times more likely to die than those hit at 20 mph.
- The Scottish Government also supports the implementation of 20 mph limits in built-up areas.
- If approved, the number of roads with a 20 mph limit would increase from 1,203 to 2,677.
- Criteria for selecting roads, prioritizing areas near schools, residential, and community facilities.
This initiative aligns with goals of creating safer streets, promoting walking, cycling, and bus use, and fostering more pleasant neighbourhood's in Aberdeen.
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Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
Starting Saturday, June 1, 2024, in Aberdeen City Centre
The LEZ was introduced in May 2022 with a two-year grace period. This grace period ends on Saturday, after which enforcement will begin.
The Aberdeen LEZ is an area in the city centre where only certain vehicles with lower emissions are allowed to enter. This initiative aims to tackle air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO2), caused by road traffic.
How does the LEZ work?
- Operates 24/7, 365 days a year
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will monitor vehicles entering the zone, checking their compliance with emission standards. Stationary vehicles are exempt
- Non-compliant vehicles will be issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) to the registered keeper
What are the benefits of the LEZ?
- Improved air quality
- Protection of public health and well-being
- Reduced road transport emissions, supporting Scotland's climate change targets
- A more vibrant, accessible, and safe city centre
- Encouragement of sustainable transportation options like walking, cycling, and public transport
- Increased attractiveness of the City as a place to live, visit, and invest
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Your Police 2024/25
Annual Local Policing Survey
Understanding the views and priorities of Scotland's diverse communities is fundamental to how Police Scotland responds to the needs of the public. Our public engagement activities help us improve how we deliver our policing services in local communities, ensuring they are accessible for everyone.
Survey, open April 11, 2024, closing March 31, 2025
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Former Treetops Hotel
Update Provided by the City Council
(The Council has decided to approve the application subject to conditions and legal agreement)
Development (211528/DPP) Approved
Due to the City Council planning department's failure to notify the Community Council of a significant change to the plans in November 2022, we were only given two days to submit comments. After raising the issue further we were given an additional six days enabling us to at least try and engage with our local community to ask for comments. before the postponed planning committee meeting on Thursday, June 8, 2023.
The Planning Committee approved the development 6 votes to 4 in favour of Malcolm Allan Housebuilders.
Proposed site drawings:
Key changes are as follows:
- Unit count reduced:
- From 89 units: 35 houses and 54 flats
- To 77 units: 44 houses and 33 flats
- Six-storey block of flats in the Northwest corner unchanged
- Three storey townhouses replace two blocks of flats on Western (rear) boundary
- Gardens of townhouses face rear boundary
- Parking removed from associated flats
- Exclusively market value housing
Changes primarily affect the rear of the site, while the remainder of the site remains largely unchanged from the initial proposal (application 211528). The affordable housing requirement has been relocated off-site to the former Braeside Primary School (application 221310) and the two applications were linked.
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Core Path Network
Public Consultation Closed
The Community Council launched a public consultation on improving the core path network in our community. This network is a vital part of our community infrastructure, providing safe and accessible routes for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorised transport. We wanted to hear from you about how we can improve the network to better serve the needs of our community.
Maps showing path routes:
- Countesswells Ave - Countesswells Rd
- Countesswells Ave - Craigiebuckler Dr
- Craigiebuckler Ave - Springfield Rd (via Walker Dam)
- Hazledene Rd - Countesswells Ave
- Hazledene Rd - Craigiebuckler Ave (Resurfaced)
- Rubislaw Park Rd - Viewfield Gdns (via Johnston Gdns)
- Springfield Rd - Rubislaw Park Rd
Survey closed on July 31, 2023, thank you for participating.
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James Hutton Institute
Development Craigiebuckler Campus
After hosting an initial public consultation drop-in event on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at the main Campus building the session remained open until Wednesday, March 23, 2022. This included exhibition boards and a website. The James Hutton Institute and MacAulay Development Trust have plans for developing the land and have submitted a planning application for the formation of a new access road coming off Countesswells Road, amended car parking and associated drainage. This is the first phase of planning applications with more expected to be submitted.
The access would include a break in the existing wall, with the reuse of the existing stone to form an attractive entrance to the campus. The new access road seeks to follow the contours of the existing site up to a car park and turning area in front of the existing building. The car park would be amended to enable suitable parking, turning and would include electric car charging facilities. The proposal will also include the creation of SUDs to treat drainage associated with the new access road.
Further details are available on the Aberdeen City Council planning application website.