Agenda and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found here.

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 Committee had before it the minute of the previous meeting of 25 May 2023, for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record

Planning Officer – Lucy Greene

The Forum had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, on a submission of a Proposal of Application on behalf of ETZ Ltd, for the proposed  business/industrial development (class 4/5/6); road infrastructure; active travel connections; landscaping and environmental works including drainage and other infrastructure, at land at Coast Road, St Fittick's Park/ Gregness Headland/Doonies Farm Aberdeen. 

The report advised that development would consist of the erection of buildings and laying of external hard surfaced yardareas in business / office, industrial and / or storage and distribution use. This would be likely toinclude creating levels areas and buildings of relatively large footprint, representing a substantial

change to the current undeveloped nature of the land. It was noted that the end users of the development were unknown and it was not therefore possible to provide further details about characteristics of the development at this stage.

The development site consisted of three linked areas – St Fittick’s Park (A), Gregness (B) and Doonies (C), and these areas were allocated for development in the Aberdeen Local Development Plan2023.

The St Fitticks Park (A) area covered 15.5ha and includes the south east area of the park, with the Tullos Burn and wetlands, adjacent woodland, open space and a recreational area. The Scheduled Ancient Monument of St Fittick’s Church is close to the northern boundary of this site.

Gregness (B) covered an area of 8.67ha and was immediately adjacent to the coast and to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), designated for geological reasons, with the Coast Road forming the boundary to the west. It was formerly coastal grassland but had been used more recently as a storage and production area in association with the construction of the new South Harbour in Nigg Bay immediately to the north of the site. Gregness was also covered by the Balnagask to Cove (Site 1) Local Nature Conservation Site (LNCS) designation. The LNCS included mixed habitats supporting herb rich grasslands, heathland, rocky cliffs, insect fauna and nesting sea birds. Access onto the south breakwater is taken through this site.

Doonies (C) included a granite farmhouse and steading together with fields used by Doonies Rare Breeds Farm, a visitor attraction that was to close in August 2023. Two linear areas connect the main site to Peterseat Drive which was within the northern part of the Altens Industrial Area, to allow for potential future access linkages.

The River Dee Special Area of Conservation lies to the north of St Fittick’s Park.

Footpaths, including core paths, the railway, cycle routes and Coast Road run through the sites.  Residential areas in Balnagask and Torry lie close to the St Fitticks Park site to the north west and further away to the south of Doonies (Burnbanks Village).

The Forum heard from Ms Lucy Greene, Senior Planner, who addressed the Forum and provided details regarding the planning aspects of the application. 

Mr Greene provided details on the relevant planning policies noting the policies  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Planning Officer – Gavin Clark

The Convener advised that this item would be heard at the next meeting on 21 September 2023.