CRAIGIEBUCKLER AND SEAFIELD COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Representing residents in the areas of Craigiebuckler and Seafield

Dear Fellow Resident,

Did you know that Aberdeen City Council propose to build a potentially large recycling centre close to Hazlehead Park in Hazlehead Avenue in the grounds of the Grove Nursery? I attach a map of the proposed site and you will be able to see how close this new facility will be to our Park and Schools.

During one of our meetings in March, we invited Mr Peter Lawrence, representative from the Waste Management, Housing and Environment Department to discuss Aberdeen City Council’s efforts to find a site for a Recycling Centre for the west of the City. This facility is likely to be used by people from around the city and from Aberdeenshire.

During Mr Lawrence's presentation it was clear the proposed scheme is to be of substantial scale. This is not intended to be a simple Recycling Point. The type at Airyhall Library is not what is planned.

The intention is to have a site which serves a large catchment area. The site would have bay-type skips, segregated sections for different types of waste management, new parking bays. Some changes to the roads in the vicinity of the proposed site would be considered, if necessary, to cope with the many vehicles each day. Noise pollution with reversing beeps, waste contractor vehicles and private cars, vans and other traffic will add to the impact for everyone who live, work, study or visit around this parkland and recreational area.

Many citywide location options were discussed at this meeting, including various sites around Hazlehead including the Grove Nursery site. Also considered was a site on Whitemyres Industrial Estate which potentially would be more appropriate with the least impact on communities of this and other residential areas. We opposed all the sites in the Hazlehead area.

We were very disappointed to be notified that in the end officials recommended approval of the Grove Nursery site on Hazlehead Avenue. This is close to the Primary and Secondary Schools, playing fields and the entrance to Hazelhead Park.

We anticipate a large increase in traffic levels in Hazlehead Avenue and neighbouring streets. This is especially likely at weekends when waste is being conveyed to the proposed recycling centre. Many skip lorries, trucks and private cars, some with trailers in tow, will use these roads. The report published by officials acknowledges an increase in traffic, but minimises the impact. We believe the traffic increase will be substantial. The new centre will become a very popular place to dispose of recyclable materials brought there by many vehicles each day. Officials say the site will be carefully maintained to a high standard; but during this period of substantial cuts to all front-line services can we be sure it will be supervised at all times?

The recycling centre and the type of traffic are out of keeping with one of this city's great assets: Hazlehead Park and Policies. A recycling centre will bring much traffic, noise and associated factors which would destroy the ambience and character of both the approach road and the open green spaces.

Fortunately we have the opportunity as a ‘stakeholder’ to attend a consultative "liaison" meeting. The meeting was originally scheduled for June/July but Councillor Greig has had this shifted to late August to give more time for consultation. Officials will note the views of members of the stakeholder group with a view to preparing the planning application. We will be your representatives at this meeting and it is your views that we are duty-bound to express.

It is expected that a further liaison meeting will be held in October 2010. This will review any changes made to the plans for the proposed recycling centre. We understand that the proposal will probably be decided by the Council in late Autumn 2010 or early January 2011.

We do need more recycling centres and facilities. However, Grove Nursery is not appropriate or practical and we would hope for an alternative to be found which will not affect any area as profoundly as this would on the local community.

Therefore, in order that we can effectively represent your views at the initial liaison group meeting, we ask you to let us know what you think about the location of the proposed recycling centre, especially if you anticipate that it will have an adverse effect on your quality of life.

We may be contacted by email on craigseacc@hotmail.co.uk or by logging on to http://e-voice.org.uk/craigseacc/. I may be contacted by letter at 10 Craigiebuckler Drive Aberdeen AB15 8ND

My fellow Community Councillors and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

William J. Sell
Chair