Agenda and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found at:-

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=348&MId=3433&Ver=4

Please note that if any changes are made to this minute at the point of approval, these will be outlined in the subsequent minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered. 

Reference Number - 140698

The Hearing was opened by the Convener who extended a warm welcome to all present and explained that at the Planning Development Management Committee meeting of 24 July 2014, consideration was given to a report which recommended, in light of the fact that Aberdeen City Council had a substantive financial interest in the development owing to the Council’s ownership of the site, and that in excess of twenty representations had been submitted in response to the application, that a public hearing be arranged, and that this had been agreed.

The Convener made it clear that the purpose of the Hearing was not to determine the application but to allow the Committee to consider (1) officers’ objective views of the development; (2) details of the development presented by the developer and their agents; and (3) the views of those who submitted written representations and responded positively to the invitation to speak at the Hearing.

The Convener advised of various procedural matters and thanked those who had participated in the three developer led public consultations which had a significant impact on the proposal, and those who were in attendance and had agreed to participate in the Hearing. The Convener requested those taking part to concentrate on the development proposals on which elected members would be required to decide upon, and emphasised that the Hearing was advisory not deliberative. The Convener advised that a decision would not be taken until the Planning Development Management Committee meeting on 25 September 2014 at the earliest.

The Convener invited Mr Gavin Evans, Senior Planner, Aberdeen City Council, as the first speaker to address the Committee. Mr Evans described the application proposal, advised with regard to the policy background and the main issues arising, and identified the nature of the concerns expressed by consultees and objectors. His presentation to the Committee was in the following terms:-

The application which is the subject of today’s Hearing was submitted by Muse’s appointed agents, CBRE, and lodged in May 2014 under reference number P140698. The development proposed relates to the site of the Council’s former St Nicholas House offices, along with the section of Broad Street running between Upperkirkgate and Queen Street.

This presentation will contain a brief description of the application site and details of the proposed development. There will also be a brief comment on the consultation process and a summary of written representations by members of the public. I will then set out the main planning policies and national guidance that are directly relevant to consideration of this application, before concluding with a brief outline of the main issues apparent for the assessment of the application.

Site description & context

Broad Street runs north-west from the eastern end of Union Street, providing connection to Upperkirkgate and Gallowgate. To the west lie the Bon Accord and St Nicholas shopping centres, with the Kirk of St Nicholas, Robert Gordon’s College and Aberdeen Art Gallery beyond. On the northern side of Broad Street lies the impressive frontage of Marischal College,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.