A new “coastal community” of hundreds of homes has been proposed for an expanding Aberdeen suburb.
Cognito Oak LLP, a firm whose officers include new AECC developers Henry Boot, has lodged a new application for between 500 and 600 new homes, including affordable units, a variety of different shops, community facilities, a recycling centre and new roads at land to the east of the A90 on Ellon Road in Bridge of Don.
The new development would be close to local business and industrial parks and the existing AECC site.
Last night, a north-east estate agency claimed that such applications demonstrated “optimism was rising” in the region, following the effects of the oil downturn.
Bridge of Don has expanded massively in the past decades and now boasts a population of around 19,000: more than the likes of Banchory, Ellon and Peterhead.
Earlier this month, Cala Homes began work on 400 homes at Persley Den, south of the River Don. After public consultation a final decision would be made by a council planning committee.
An application letter from architects Halliday Fraser Munro reads: “The site is located to the northeast of Bridge of Don, at Ellon Road. The surrounding urban area currently benefits from having a mix of employment, residential and commercial uses.
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“A range of other uses would also be provided including the provision of local shops and services (e.g. small-scale retail, food & drink or service uses) to create a sustainable mixed use coastal community within the city.
“The proposed new uses allow for improved place making and overall sustainability of this location by collocating uses that can complement and support one another.
“It is proposed to carry out a Public Consultation Event (on February 26) at St Columba’s Church in Bridge of Don.”
Chris Comfort, a partner at Aberdein Considine, said: “There’s no doubt optimism across the city has been rising for the last few months and various economic factors, not least the upturn in the oil and gas sector, tend to back that up.
“With over £8billion of potential investment coming to fruition and a marked upturn in property activity, it’s probably no surprise builders are again looking at Aberdeen as a fertile market.
“The AWPR has certainly enhanced the popularity of the area between Bridge of Don and Ellon, reducing commuting times significantly, and the builders will expect an uplift in potential buyers being attracted to the area.”