A blueprint for the future of Aberdeen has been unveiled by council leaders, with a five-point plan detailing major investment in housing and infrastructure.
But last night the report – long touted by the Labour-led administration – was immediately criticised by opposition politicians as being “completely underwhelming” and lacking in funding detail.
The Strategic Infrastructure Plan (SIP) ( Click here to read the report ) includes key goals aiming for a “step change” in low-cost housing, improved digital connections, better transport links, a rise in skilled workers and a boost for the city’s image.
A fund of £20million has been set aside to revamp the city centre, thousands of new homes are on the cards, a tram or light-rail system is being explored and a new £200million exhibition and conference centre would be developed.
The 50-page SIP report will be considered at a meeting of the full council on Thursday.
Last night, Labour finance convener Willie Young said: “I think what we have for the first time ever is a vision for the future from the council.
“This is long-termism, not short-termism. We are a world energy centre and we need to have infrastructure to suit that name.”
Officials have advised councillors to approve the plan, with Mr Young insisting yesterday that the ruling coalition wanted to “get moving as quickly as possible”.
The Labour group secretary said he would be meeting SNP and Liberal Democrat group leaders before Thursday’s meeting.
“I hope that they will support us on this,” he said. It appeared unlikely last night that the Labour-Conservative-Independent administration will win the support of the Nationalist group.
SNP group leader Callum McCaig said: “This much-vaunted report is completely underwhelming and certainly does not match up to the unprecedented amount of hype the administration has given to something that promised a lot but turns out will deliver precious little.
“The only thing impressive about the report is the amount of spin preceding its release.
“Aberdeen deserves better given it has been played up to the public for many, many months, but the administration have rushed out this report at the last minute, only finishing it on Monday afternoon.”
The first of the five key goals in the plan focuses on how the council can help to address a shortage of “affordable” housing in the city.
By 2017, the authority is aiming to deliver more than 2,000 new homes.
The report also details plans to boost economic growth by investing in broadband digital connections, increasing internet speed and coverage for local businesses and residents.
A wide range of transport projects are already in the works, including the first stage of the £21million Berryden Corridor improvements, a £15million third crossing over the River Don and a £15million Dyce Drive link road.
The plan also singles out retaining and attracting more skilled workers as a major priority. It is considered that the new housing plans, coupled with investment in the city centre, will encourage more people to live and work in Aber-deen.
A regeneration board will be set up to re- commended how a £21million fund for city-centre improvements will be spent.
The SIP states the council will be working closely with Robert Gordon University and the public-private partnership Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (Acsef) on the city-centre plans, including Union Terrace Gardens.
It adds: “The team has developed a proposal which looks at four core elements, including the road and the railway, the eastern end of the garden adjacent to Union Bridge, the western end, including how to retain a Victorian garden and the iconic view from Union Bridge towards His Majesty’s Theatre, St Mark’s Church and the public library, together with the floral bowl and recreational bowl below, as well as connectivity up and down the Denburn Valley, particularly towards the station.
“We have been helped considerably in our deliberations through the input of other interested parties.”
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