Aberdeen park faces bulldozers as planning documents lodged

The Herald Scotland

2 days ago

However, after a legal challenge was defeated in the Court of Session, two planning applications to alter the site have been submitted to Aberdeen City Council.
At an emergency community meeting on Monday evening, campaigners spoke about the importance of the park and discussed ways to combat the planning applications.
Campaigners Scott Herrett, Ishbel Shand, and Richard Caie (L-R). (Image: Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco) Campaigner and local resident Scott Herrett told attendees: 'It's important to remind ourselves the planning process is not the only way in which to protect the park.
"The council still has to vote to lease the land to ETZ Ltd before anything can happen. If these applications pass, then it's likely this might happen later this year.'
Energy company ETZ Ltd, which is backed by oil and gas tycoon Sir Ian Wood, has long expressed a desire to turn part of the park into office space. The group says the 'opportunity zone' will benefit the renewable energy sector and Aberdeen's economy.
However, campaigners have hotly contested these remarks.
"I love the park, this is pure vandalism of a much enjoyed space filled with nature. It's completely disrespectful of local residents. Coupled with that, there seems no prospect that industry will come or jobs be created," said Chris Aldred, a Torry resident and member of Friends of St. Fittick's Park.
Ishbel Shand, a long-time member of the group, told The Herald: "The proposed transfer of St Fittick's from the public to the private sector has nothing to do with creating jobs or combatting climate change. The Port of Aberdeen built a harbour in a pristine bay and they want the land for supporting infrastructure - offices, refuelling tanks and so forth.
Shand added: 'I suspect the plan is to trash the park and when no-one shows any interest in using the sites for renewable projects argue that they might as well use it for port infrastructure since it has been trashed.
'That's what it did with the 'temporary construction site' on the park despite a legal requirement to reinstate it and return it to public ownership.'
St Fitttick's Park viewed from the air. The council has previously signed off on a masterplan for the area and planning permission in principle. Now, they will be asked to make a more detailed decision.
According to the ETZ's masterplan, a third of the park will be converted into 'high-value energy transition activity' with quayside access to the nearby Aberdeen South Harbour.
A statement on their website reads: 'By partnering with the community, industry and investors, and harnessing world-class experience and know-how, the 40 hectare Energy Transition Zone will help the UK and Scotland reach Net Zero targets and will deliver sustainable economic and job security for our region and our people.'
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The issue has been a political football for years. The Labour and Conservative-led council administration voted to allow the site to be rezoned in 2020, over the objections of the SNP and Liberal Democrats.
However, now in opposition, Labour says the park must be preserved, while the SNP-Lib Dem partnership has voted to progress the planning process.
An Aberdeen Labour spokesperson said: 'We support the principles of the ETZ as the ETZ will support and create well paid jobs which is vital to the UK and Scottish economy. What we do not support is the vandalism of St Fittick's Park in Torry as we believe there is a suitable alternative to using this much loved park.'
'Our other concern is that the Council has not yet agreed to lease the park to any individual or organisation yet we are seeing a planning application from ETZ Ltd. Officers of the Council have not yet reported back to Council on what is happening with St Fittick's Park despite an instruction to do so back in September 2023.
'There is a huge worry within the community of Torry that Aberdeen City Council are working hand in glove with ETZ Ltd who are not the land owners of St Fitticks Park.'
When asked for comment, an Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said the local authority did not comment on live planning applications.
A decision on the matter is expected to be taken over the summer.