Agenda and minutes

The Committee conducted a site visit prior to the Hearing. The Committee was addressed by Mr Gavin Evans, Senior Planner and summarised the proposal for the overall site.

The Convener explained that the Committee would return to the Town House to commence the Hearing.

All documents associated with the application can be viewed at the following link and enter the reference number 191171.  Link.

The Committee heard from the Convener who opened up the hearing by welcoming those present and providing information on the running order of the hearing.  She explained that the first person to address the hearing would be Mr Gavin Evans, and asked that speakers adhere to their allocated time in order for the hearing to run smoothly and in a timely manner.

The Committee then heard from Mr Gavin Evans, Senior Planner, who addressed the Committee in the following terms:-

Mr Evans explained that members should note that the report prepared for today’s meeting contained full details relating to this case, and that his presentation was a very brief overview of the report. 

Mr Evans explained that the site extended to 22.5 hectares and was located at Cloverhill, Bridge of Don, on the east side of the A92 / Ellon Road dual carriageway (formerly the A90 Trunk Road until its de-trunking last year) on the section between the Murcar Roundabout (to the north) and the AECC Roundabout (to the south).

Mr Evans advised that the Silver Burn crossed under the A92 and entered the western edge of the site, before heading south towards the southern tip of the site.

He explained that an existing property, Ironfield House, was located just outwith the eastern boundary of the site but was presently accessed via a rutted track which ran east-west across the site and connected with the A92.  An existing culvert ran from east to west across the site, roughly following the route of the track, before discharging to an open channel beyond the eastern boundary.

Mr Evans advised that the interior of the site comprised of open agricultural fields, sub-divided by existing dry stone walls, fences and hedgerows. There were few existing trees to the interior of the site, with the exception of a small cluster where field boundaries met in the southern portion of the site.  Mr Evans noted that for the most part, any mature trees were located along the boundaries of the site, which included at its northern edge and north-eastern corner, as well as along the northern portion of the Silver Burn.  He had also highlighted that dense belts of planting, which enclosed existing residential properties at Ironfield House and in localised pockets along the eastern boundary, were also evident.

Mr Evans indicated that the site was zoned as Business and Industrial land in the Local Development Plan.

In terms of the surrounding land use context, Mr Evans explained that the site sat to the north of the Aberdeen Energy Park, with the former Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre site further south, on the other side of the Parkway East/Exploration Drive. To the east of the site was land identified in the Aberdeen Local Development Plan for business and industrial development, but as yet undeveloped. Beyond this, approximately 600m east, lay the Royal Aberdeen golf course, with Murcar Golf Course immediately to the north of that.

Mr Evans also highlighted that on the opposite side of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.