Proposals for a £20million revamp of Union Terrace Gardens has been given a big thumbs up by Aberdeen’s disability rights group.
Planning chiefs have previously been accused of ignoring accessibility concerns on other parts of the Granite City’s masterplan – such as the Broad Street part-pedestrianisation.
But the blueprint for the well-loved green space has been hailed as “one of the very best examples of inclusive design”.
Dame Anne Begg heaped praise on LDA Design’s vision after she and other members of the Disability Equity Partnership were given a detailed briefing.
Lifts are planned at both ends of the Victorian park as well as gently sloping paths, which have been made part of the overall design and not tucked away.
Accessibility was one of six priorities for the firm – which was also responsible for London’s Olympic park.
Dame Anne, the former Aberdeen South Labour MP, who chairs the DEP, said: “I thought we would be lucky to have one route in but there are four.
“Most of the area will be accessible, they have gone well beyond what I imagined.
“They have clearly worked very hard to understand how to make the gardens an experience for everyone, regardless of age or physical ability.
“It is one of the very best examples of inclusive design I’ve ever seen.”
The only outstanding issue was over the textures of the paths, she said, but the team appeared “very happy to work with us on this”.
Deputy city council leader Marie Boulton, who chairs the cross-party city centre regeneration board, said: “I am delighted that the proposals have been so well received, which is surely a reflection of the early engagement with key stakeholders.
“The task now is to gather more feedback so we can refine the proposals and achieve a detailed designed which makes Union Terrace Gardens a place all can enjoy.”
The reaction of the DEP is in stark contrast to the group’s frustrations that concerns about the Broad Street project were not being heard.
Members complained that a consultation had been pointless because designers of the new civic space could not “see past the pretty pictures”.