Agenda and minutes

The Members present conducted a site visit prior to the Hearing.  The Members were addressed by the Senior Planner (Ms Greene) who advised them of the proposal for the overall site.  Ms Greene also advised the Members of the exact boundaries for the proposal and pointed these out to those present.  There being no detailed questions from the Members the Convener explained to those present that the Members would return to the Town House to commence the Hearing.

The Committee heard from the Convener who opened up the Hearing by welcoming those present.  He explained that the final running order for the Hearing had been circulated and that the first person to address the Hearing would be Ms Greene.

The Committee heard from Lucy Greene, Senior Planner, Aberdeen City Council who addressed the Committee in the following terms:-

Ms Greene explained that the proposal was split across 2 sites (site A-5.48 hectares and site B-3.72 hectares).  She explained that the area was predominantly a mixture of woodland types, including pine woodland, other coniferous woodland, mixed woodland, lowland birch woodland, and other broadleaved woodland.  She advised that there were also areas of bracken, scrub woodland, neutral grassland and improved grassland.  She said that the site supported a number of breeding birds and mammals (red squirrels) and Wych elm had been reported in the area.  She advised that the good network of paths throughout the site meant that it is well used by local people.

Ms Greene outlined the proposals for the application with plans and maps which included elevation plans.  She explained that consultations had been carried out with the following Teams within the Council/agencies/organisations:

•         Roads

•         Environmental Health

•         Flooding

•         Archaeological dig condition

•         Scottish Environment Protection Agency – SUDS and construction method conditions

•         Scottish Natural Heritage

•         Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels

•         Local Community Council

Ms Greene explained that in terms of representations the following points had been raised regarding the development:

•         The impact on users of Hazlehead Park

•         Impact on the Green Belt

•         The scale of development

•         The adequacy of the roads in the area

•         The character of the development

•         The impact on wildlife in the area

•         The noise impact on local residents

•         Alternative sites for the development

•         Traffic and drainage issues

•         Light pollution arising from the development

•         Risk to future of Hazlehead Golf Club

•         Hazlehead area belongs to the public

Ms Greene explained the main planning policies that the development would be assessed against, these included:

•         Scottish Planning Policy:

–        Increasing sustainable economic growth

–        Economic benefits

–        Protecting natural environment

–        Strong plan led approach

•         Structure Plan:

–        Vision

–        Strategy

–        Objectives

•         Green Belt

•         Green Space Network

Others:

•         Architecture and Placemaking

•         Sustainable and Active Travel

•         Aberdeen’s Granite Heritage

•         Landscape

•         Flooding and drainage

•         Natural Heritage

•         Access and informal recreation

Ms Greene concluded her presentation by reminding Members that all Council Members would determine the application in the future.

The Committee then heard from Mark Wilkie, Senior Engineer, Aberdeen City Council, who outlined the main roads considerations relating to the development.  Mr Wilkie explained that a Transport Assessment (TA) had been prepared by Hyder, the applicant’s transport consultants, in support of the planning application, to investigate various access options and that the adopted road network extended along Hazledene Road as far west as Craigiebuckler Avenue.  He explained  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.