An Aberdeen charity has lodged plans to transform a “derelict and unloved” area of the city into a modern sports complex.
The Alhikmah Foundation successfully bid for the site at Nelson Street in September 2017, beating a £15million affordable housing proposal by Grampian Housing Association.
Now the charity has submitted plans – under the name Urban Fields – to create five new five-a-side pitches on the site of two currently unused existing pitches.
As well as the construction of fencing, ball-stop netting, floodlighting and access paths, the existing pavilion will be refurbished and a new access road will be created.
In addition, a car park with 35 spaces will be built.
Space will be retained for potential future extension of the sports pavilion.
Project team member Aqeel Ijazi said he had high hopes for the Urban Fields development.
“We were overwhelmed by the level of support we received from across the city and beyond when we first bid for the site back in 2017,” he said.
“While it has taken a bit longer than we had originally hoped, we are delighted to have submitted the proposals, which would importantly see the derelict and unloved pavilion and playing fields transformed into a modern, multi-purpose space that can be enjoyed by everyone.
“We look forward to the continued support of the local community, and hope that Aberdeen City Council will approve these proposals, which would transform the open space into a vibrant and dynamic community hub in the heart of the city.”
The application, which follows two years of detailed discussions with the council and other stakeholders, is a £1million investment.
It follows on from the £2.5million that the Alhikmah Foundation have already invested in the Masjid Alhikmah and Community Centre on Nelson Street.
Although the foundation would own the facility, it would be run as a commercial operation and would be open to the general public.
Prior to its sale in 2017, Aberdeen City Council specifically requested that the site continued to be used for sports facilities.