Agenda item

The Council had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which presented the Examination Report on the Aberdeen Local Development Plan, the table of modifications arising from the report and the Aberdeen Local Development Plan, as modified, for adoption.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)              note the Examination Report on the Aberdeen Local Development Plan;

(b)              approve the modifications made to the Plan, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, and any minor drafting changes;

(c)               notify Scottish Ministers of the Council’s intention to adopt the Aberdeen Local Development Plan as modified, unless directed otherwise by them; and

(d)              adopt the Aberdeen Local Development Plan with effect from 29^th February 2012, unless directed otherwise by Scottish Ministers and following completion of the statutory procedure as set out in Appendix 7 to the report.

Councillor Dean moved, seconded by Councillor Corall:-

            That the Council approve the recommendations contained within the report.

Councillor Farquharson moved as an amendment:-

That the Council accept recommendations (a), (b) and (c) contained within the report but amend (d) to read as follows:-

(d)       adopt the Aberdeen Local Development Plan with effect from 29^th February 2012, unless directed otherwise by Scottish Ministers and following completion of the statutory procedure as set out in Appendix 7 to the report, subject to ensuring that all major associated infrastructure requirements related to new developments have been put in place before the development adversely affects the area in question. This action is indicated as necessary by the Risk Assessment section of the Local Development Plan Risk Register - July 2010.

Following advice from officers that the Local Development Plan could not be adopted and amended at the same time, the Lord Provost ruled Councillor Farquharson’s amendment incompetent in terms of Standing Order 18(1)(iii).

Councillor Reynolds moved as an amendment:-

That the Council:-

(a)        approve the recommendations contained within the report subject to the removal of the allocation of properties from OP12 Grandhome, namely 2,600 (2007-2016), 2,100 (2017-2023) and 2,300 (2024-2030) totalling 7,000, and reallocate to Clinterty with the same phasing, and instruct officers to report back as a matter of urgency on alternative locations for the balance; and

(b)        agree to insert as a development opportunity the land on Denmore Road, currently used as playing fields.

On the basis of the advice from officers, as outlined above, the Lord Provost ruled Councillor Reynolds’ amendment incompetent in terms of Standing Order 18(1)(iii). Councillor Reynolds then intimated that he wished to alter his amendment and this was accepted.

Councillor Reynolds moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Leslie:-

            That the Council does not adopt the Aberdeen Local Development Plan.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion  (34)  -  Lord Provost Peter Stephen; Depute Provost Cormie; and Councillors Adam, Allan, Blackman, Collie, Cooney, Corall, Cormack, Crockett, Dean, Donnelly, Dunbar, Hunter, Ironside, Jaffrey, Kiddie, Laing, MacGregor, McCaig, McDonald MSP, Malone, May, Milne, Noble, Penny, Robertson, Jennifer Stewart, John Stewart, Wendy Stuart, Townson, West, Young and Yuill.

For the amendment  (2)  -  Councillors Leslie and Reynolds.

Declined to vote  (2)  -  Councillors Boulton and Farquharson.

Absent from the division  (1)  -  Councillor Wisely.

The Council resolved:-

(i)                 to adopt the motion; and

(ii)               to thank officers in the Development Plan team for their immense hard work which had resulted in the Council being the first local authority in Scotland to adopt its Local Development Plan under new planning regulations.

In terms of Standing Order 15(6), Councillors Leslie and Reynolds intimated their dissent against the foregoing decision.