New images of the Green in Aberdeen as consultation launched on its future

By Alastair Gossip

July 6 2022, 11:55 am

An artists' impression of the Green in Aberdeen. It is to undergo an overhaul as part of the £50m market project. Picture by Aberdeen City Council.

New artistic impressions of the Green in Aberdeen have been released as the public are given a say in how it should look.

Drop-in and online consultations are being held this month to get views of residents, businesses, and street users on proposals for the Merchant Quarter and nearby streets.

It’s getting a revamp of the £50m project to build a new market on the former BHS and indoor market site.

Workers demolishing the former BHS premises on Union Street as part of the £50m new market projects. Picture by Kami Thomson/DCT Media. — Workers demolishing the former indoor market and BHS premises on Union Street as part of the £50m new market project. Picture by Kami Thomson/DCT Media.

Both have already been demolished.

Across Union Street, St Nicholas Street is also in line for an overhaul.

Plans for the Green part of the £50m new Aberdeen market work

Council planners say the plans for the Green and surrounding streets would improve connectivity and accessibility.

Since blueprints were drawn up, councillors have voted to scrap pedestrianisation plans for Union Street in favour of continued bus access.

Last month, then-chancellor Rishi Sunak warned doing so would mean “a conversation” between the council and the UK Government.

Ministers promised to put £20m towards the market on the basis the Granite Mile was pedestrianised.

An artists’ impression of the Green in Aberdeen. It is to undergo an overhaul as part of the £50m market project. Picture by Aberdeen City Council.

They also hope it will make it easier for people to find their way around.

Through the new market, the area will directly link Union Street to Aberdeen’s rail and bus stations and the Union Square shopping centre.

But there have been calls to leave the area as a cleared square, instead of proceeding with the planned construction.

Area of ‘massive potential’

Council finance convener Alex McLellan said: “The area around The Green has massive potential to become a more vibrant and accessible space for people to enjoy and visit.

St Nicholas Street would also be given a facelift under the new Aberdeen market project. This is included in the Green consultation. Picture by Aberdeen City Council.

“We need to listen to what people want to see in the area and understand how the public thinks the area can be improved. I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the online survey and drop-in consultation to help inform our plans.”

The online consultation will open on Friday 8 July and run until Monday 25 July.

It will include information available to view along with an opportunity to provide feedback.

Meanwhile, in-person drop-in consultation sessions will be held at the Maritime Museum on Wednesday 13 July and Thursday 14 July between 2pm and 6pm.

The Disability Equity Partnership, community council and business improvement body Aberdeen Inspired will also be approached for input.