Agenda item

Please note that there is an exempt appendix associated with this report at the Exempt/ Confidential section of this agenda

(A)       In accordance with article 4 of this minute, the Committee heard the following deputation from Mr David Fryer, Mr Alistair Spence and Mr George Wood on behalf of Torry Heritage Group.

Mr Spence advised that Torry people from near and far had fought to retain the buildings; that the buildings were now in a poor state and had not been kept adequately secured to allow for deterioration to assist the case for demolition and total clearance of the site. He indicated that the buildings were structurally sound; that the plans which were drawn up previously were viable in construction and architecturally terms and would retain all the trees that were covered under Tree Preservation Orders. 

Mr Wood advised that the community of Torry had never stood in the way of redeveloping the site, they were only against unsympathetic commercial gain which showed no respect for heritage or community aspirations. He indicated that the structure of the buildings remained solid, presenting an iconic image of our past and a centrepiece on which to base site and area redevelopment. He intimated that he sought respite in which to engage in meaningful and time limited conversations between all parties to formulate a development profile beneficial to both the community and the Council. He requested that the Committee decline the report’s recommendations.

Mr Fryer circulated an aerial photograph of the Former Victoria Road School site and made reference to the history of the school buildings. He explained that the buildings were irreplaceable, structurally sound and were capable of standing for centuries which would outlast models of glass and steel architecture of the 21st Century. He made reference to a restoration scheme three years ago which showed the flexibility and adaptability of the school buildings and which would echo the successful regeneration of Marischal College through creating a new internal structure that meets all standards. He made reference to the restoration works of Causewayend and Mile End schools for new uses and Hanover Street School to meet local education needs. He requested that Councillors reject the report recommendations and sought opportunities for new uses to be brought forward.

(B)       The Committee had before it a report by the interim Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought approval for the proposed next actions in order to see the property disposed of and subsequently the site brought back into economic use.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       instruct the Head of Land and Property Assets following consultation with the Head of Commercial and Procurement Services to progress with the demolition of the property by instructing the tendering of the demolition contract;

(b)       instruct the Head of Land and Property Assets in conjunction with the Head of Commercial and Procurement Services to award the tender to the successful tenderer incorporating such appropriate clauses within any contract to protect the Council’s interest;

(c)        approve the estimated expenditure in relation to (a) and (b) above as detailed in appendix 1 of the report; and

(d)       instruct the Head of Land and Property Assets to formally offer the cleared site to the Shaping Aberdeen LLP. If not required by the Shaping Aberdeen LLP instruct the Head of Land and Property Assets to recommence the open marketing of the site.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to note the content of the report; and

(ii)        to instruct the Head of Land and Property to enter in to dialogue with Torry Development Trust to jointly consider the options presented and report these options to the meeting of Finance, Policy and Resources Committee on 1 February 2018.