Plans for the future of the Bay of Nigg area in Aberdeen have moved forward after councillors agreed to take public concerns on board.
At a meeting of Aberdeen City Council’s community, housing and infrastructure committee, members opted to advance with a revised planning framework, amended by officers on the back of public consultations.
A number of changes were made to the document, which aims to maximise the potential of land around the planned expansion of Aberdeen Harbour.
Proposals for the £320million harbour upgrade went on display last year after the project was revealed in 2012.
It is hoped the change would allow for deeper berths to bring in cruise ships and the decommissioning of oil rigs to the Granite City.
An application for planning permission in principle was lodged last year.
The local authority said the harbour expansion will continue independently from the Bay of Nigg Development Framework.
The latter includes infrastructure around the harbour expansion site, and the use of existing industrial sites at Altens and East Tullos.
The framework area also covers the eastern edge of Torry, a proportion of the Coast Road, Ness and East Tullos landfill sites as well as surrounding green space.
Concerns had been raised about traffic management and the environmental impact of the harbour development, allied to claims that roads in the area would need to be upgraded.
Nigg councillor Andrew Finlayson raised concerns about the amount of traffic using the Coast Road.
He also said that attention should be paid to the impact on Doonies Farm which was accessed by the Coast Road.
Mr Finlayson added: “It’s a shame if the impact from this development destroys the farm.
“Development would also mean the loss of a field used for grazing and winter feed.”
However, committee convener Neil Cooney said the points had been included and sought to reassure Mr Finlayson that the farm would not be jeopardised.
He said: “We will do everything we can to secure the future of that farm.”