Issue - meetings

The Council resolved:-

(i)           to note the Consultation and Engagement Report (Appendix 1) which recorded and analysed the public and stakeholder consultation and engagement undertaken and to note that the consultation responses had shaped the Finalised Draft George Street Masterplan;

(ii)          to note the contents of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report, and the non-technical summary report (Appendix 5 & 5a), whose findings were recorded in, and had given direction to, the content of the Finalised Draft George Street Masterplan;

(iii)         to approve the Finalised Draft George Street Masterplan (Appendix 2) as the George Street Masterplan being the Council’s ‘place’ strategy for the George Street area; and

(iv)         to agree that individual projects or interventions would be subject to consultation as deemed necessary by legislation or by the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning in consultation with the Co-Leaders.

With reference to Article 17 of the minute of its meeting of 14 December 2022, the Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning which sought approval of the Finalised Draft George Street Masterplan as the George Street Masterplan being the Council’s ‘place’ strategy for the George Street area.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)          review the Consultation and Engagement Report (Appendix 1) which recorded and analysed the public and stakeholder consultation and engagement undertaken, and note that the consultation responses had shaped the Finalised Draft George Street Masterplan;

(b)          note the contents of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report, and the non-technical summary report (Appendix 5 and 5a), whose findings were recorded in, and had given direction to, the content of the Finalised Draft George Street Masterplan; and

(c)          approve the Finalised Draft George Street Masterplan (Appendix 2) as the George Street Masterplan being the Council’s ‘place’ strategy for the George Street area.

Councillor Henrickson moved, seconded by Councillor Bouse:-

That the Council approve the recommendations contained within the report and agree individual projects or interventions would be subject to consultation as deemed necessary by legislation or by the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning in consultation with the Co-Leaders.

Councillor Malik moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Macdonald:-

            That the Council -

(1)      agree the recommendations contained within the report;

(2)      note with disappointment that the SNP Administration are once again giving the public of Aberdeen false hope with this George Street Masterplan as not one single penny has been allocated to implement any of the 32 projects identified within the Masterplan; and

(3)      agree to refer the report to the budget process for financial year 2024/25, enabling the Council to consider allocating funding towards the George Street Masterplan.

Councillor Massey moved as a further amendment, seconded by Councillor Farquhar:-

That the Council agree that the George Street Masterplan be considered at the 2024 Budget Meeting. Noting that:-

1.    “Norco Place” is a key part of the masterplan. The new ownership of the “Norco Place” building is not considered and therefore there should be engagement with the new owners to first ascertain their potential plans and intentions.

2.    A number of businesses feel that they have not been engaged with, especially the businesses located in Jopp’s Lane.

3.    This Masterplan proposes significant road changes which affect the flow of city centre traffic and would severely restrict West to East traffic. Given the current uncertainty around traffic in the city centre, a period of stability is required to further assess that impact without additional changes

o   The new proposed road layout includes closing West to East traffic on John Street and Blackfriars Street and also closing access between Loch Street and Berry Street

o   Given the traffic restrictions in place on Guild Street, Union Street and Schoolhill this would put huge pressure on Maberly Street/Spring Garden as the first main West to East route in the city centre after Riverside  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4