Agenda item

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which             outlined recommendations on the future development of the Middlefield ‘Triangle Site’ including the outcomes of the most recent community engagement and consultation. These proposals support Aberdeen City Council’s regeneration and community empowerment objectives.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee -

(a)       Instruct Officers to undertake a market testing exercise to determine interest in one or both of the options and report back to the January 2018 meeting of the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee;

(b)       Instruct the Head of Service for Communities and Housing, on the basis of the consultation results, to undertake immediate further dialogue with the Council’s Economic Development Service to gauge potential demand for business incubator units in the Triangle Site;

(c)        In the event that the outcome of (b) above indicates demand for incubator units on the Triangle Site, instruct the Head of Service for Communities and Housing to update the Business Case accordingly and report back to a future meeting of the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee; and

(d)       Instruct the Head of Service for Communities and Housing to undertake immediate further dialogue with Education and Children’s Services to gauge potential demand for land in the Middlefield area for Early Learning and Childcare provision and staff training facility and update the Business Case accordingly, and report back to a future meeting of the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee.

The meeting adjourned to enable officers to brief Councillors on the competency of the amendment.

The Convener moved, seconded by Vice Convener John:-

That the Committee approve the recommendations contained in the report.

Councillor Jackie Dunbar moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor McRae:-

That the Committee -

(a         Approve Option 1c as the preferred option for site redevelopment into retail (with site disposal) and greenspace as per the attached Business Case;

(b)       Instruct Officers to develop detailed drawings for the greenspace element of the site, working in collaboration with the local community, and report back to January 2018 Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee cycle;

(c)        Instruct the Head of Land and Property Assets to dispose of the area identified as for retail use in accordance with Aberdeen City Council’s disposal procedure and to report to future meeting of Finance, Policy and Resources Committee with the outcome;

(d)       Request the Interim Director for Communities, Housing and Infrastructure to further engage Scottish Government Ministers, requesting appropriate assistance, to support redevelopment of the Triangle Site in support of regenerating Middlefield; and

(e)       Instruct the Head of Service for Communities and Housing to undertake further dialogue with Education and Children’s Services as to the most suitable location in the Northfield/Mastrick North ward area for Early Learning and Childcare provision and staff training facility.  This committee recognises that the Middlefield Triangle would not be suitable but recognises the need in the wider community area.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion (9) – The Convener, Vice Conveners Bell and John and Councillors Donnelly, Duncan, Graham, Grant, MacKenzie and Jennifer Stewart.

For the amendment (8) – Councillors Copland, Delaney, Jackie Dunbar, Flynn, Hutchison, McRae, Nicoll and Townson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.