Agenda and minutes

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

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=511&MId=3849&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.

The Forum had before it the procedure note and guidance for members on the operation of Forum meetings.

The Forum resolved:-

to note the procedure note and guidance for members.

The Forum had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 16 June, 2016 for approval.

The Forum resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

Planning Officer:  Andrew Miller  

The Forum had before it a report by the Interim Head of Planning and Sustainable Development on a submission of a Proposal of Application Notice by Downing Students (Aberdeen) Limited Partnership Incorporated, for a proposed redevelopment of a site for purpose built student accommodation, ancillary facilities and associated infrastructure works at 92-130 John Street, Aberdeen.

The report advised that the site comprises a largely vacant plot of land on John Street adjacent to the Woolmanhill Halls of Residence of Robert Gordon University.  The site includes the Lumsden Security Locksmith premises and areas previously occupied by now demolished tenement buildings, with commercial uses at ground floor and the former Ambassador Snooker Club.  The surrounding area contains a mix of uses, with residential flats of mainly four stories in height to the north and east, Woolmanhill Halls of Residence to the west and the vacant Robert Gordon University building to the south.

The Forum heard from Callum Fraser (Holder Planning, Planning Agents), George Tyson (Downing Group, Applicant) and Paul Harkin (Fletcher Joseph Associates, Architect), who outlined the proposal in detail and responded to questions from members.  They explained that the proposed development was on a vacant brownfield site, approximately 24 minutes’ walk to the university campus which has bus links to RGU campus at Garthdee.  The site was close to transport hubs, attractions and local amenities.  Reference was made to a previous application for an international style 182 bedroom hotel which was approved by Committee in 2013.  Paul Harken advised that the key considerations were as follows:-

• High quality development;
• Fill gap site currently left derelict and reinforces John Street frontage;
• Encourages footfall along John Street;
• Introduction of public realm and sheltered courtyard providing green haven in city;
• Feature landmark tower which responds to the visible location whilst avoiding impact on the view to the Bastille;
• Terminates vista from Union Street, signals start of John Street and frames view to the Bastille;
• Responds to the scale and height of adjacent residential properties; and
• Contemporary but sensitive material palette.

Mr Andrew Miller, the case officer, addressed the Forum and provided more details regarding the planning aspects of the application and responded to questions from members.  Mr Miller explained that the proposal at this stage has no specific number of units proposed, although the threshold for ‘Major’ scale development within which such a proposal would fall is 5,000m2 or more of floor space created, given that the site is less than 2ha in size.  He indicated that pre-application discussions have been ongoing between planning officers and the applicant/agents.  The proposal will need to demonstrate compliance with relevant policies within the Aberdeen Local Development Plan.  Any parking provision needed to be in accordance with standards set out in the Transport and Accessibility Supplementary Guidance, though consideration should also be given to low/zero car development where the development is in close proximity to public transport links.

Mr Miller advised that the applicant proposed to carry out a public consultation event at Aberdeen Central Library on 17  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Planning Officer:  Garfield Prentice

The Forum had before it a report by the Interim Head of Planning and Sustainable Development on a submission of a Proposal of Application Notice by Aberdeen Football Club for a proposed major development incorporating a community and sport campus, football academy and stadium (circa 20,000 capacity), formation of access and all associated parking, landscaping and engineering works at land at West Kingsford, Aberdeen.

The report advised that the site is located on land designated as green belt, on the north side of the A944 dual carriageway, some 500m to the east of Westhill and approximately 1km to the west of the Prime Four Business Park at Kingswells.

The Forum heard from Stewart Milne and George Yule, Aberdeen Football Club and David and Michael Halliday, Halliday Fraser Munro who outlined the proposal in detail and responded to questions from members.  Mr Milne indicated that the project sat alongside other key developments which were ongoing including the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre and new Harbour and was vital for the club which will see radical changes in the domestic and European game.  He advised that it was important for the city to be in a strong position to capitalise on any changes and it was essential for the club, its professional squad and youth players to have top class facilities.  He made reference to the Aberdeen FC Community Trust, one of the leading trusts in the country which develops services for the wider community.

Mr Yule explained that there was a need to relocate the club to a new site.  He indicated that the club was playing its football in a 20th century stadium which does not meet the current European football criteria.  He advised that they were shuttling the professional and youth academy players around the city in a bus using borrowed third party football pitches which was not a good platform to develop talent.  He explained that the social match day experience for families in a safe and comfortable environment was the way forward, but the current facilities were outdated.

Mr David Halliday provided details in terms of the location of the proposed project, advising that the site is close to the A944 and the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.  He indicated that the park and ride sites located at Dyce, Bridge of Don and a proposed south of the city park and ride would form part of the transport strategy linking them to the Kingswells park and ride, which was within walking distance of the development.  He advised that the proposed stadium had been positioned in a safe zone between the two gas pipes for health and safety reasons and that the stadium design had not been finalised.  The professional facilities would include 3 football pitches and the community and youth development facilities would include an academy, gym, changing rooms and 3G pitches and there are plans to look at another sporting facility on site.  It was also anticipated that there would be a fan zone and memorial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.