More than 100 objections have been lodged against plans to build affordable housing over the site of a flattened school in Aberdeen’s affluent west end.
Angry residents near the former Braeside Primary School claim the site is “no place for families in poverty”.
And they raise concerns about the pressure the additional 30 homes will have on schools, roads and medical facilities in Airyhall.
The development is being proposed by Malcolm Allan Housebuilders to create the affordable housing originally earmarked for its nearby Treetops development.
It would be a mix of three and four-bedroom properties and provide accommodation for a number of disabled residents.
Architects Halliday Fraser Munro claim the scheme would “respond to the housing needs in the area”.
And Grampian Housing Association boss, Craig Stirrat, said the design would “help to create a more balanced community in an area of the city that is predominately owner
occupier”.
But dozens of locals are furious about the proposals.
‘Countesswells was disgraced by affordable housing’
Mrs Laura Beaton claimed that police are “never far away” from the affordable housing at nearby Countesswells.
She said: “My daughter attends Airyhall school and the school is at breaking point with the number of pupils!
“Why not build a new primary school/nursery on this site as it was before?
“This is a small quiet area and it seems ridiculous to go and squeeze more housing into an already cramped road.
“Look at the disgraced area of Countesswells with the social housing. The police are never away from the area.”
Another resident, Angela Campbell, said: “We do not need any new houses in the area.
“Airyhall Primary School is full.
“I have two sons, one being a teenager. There is nowhere for them to go to play in the area at all.
“I oppose new housing wholeheartedly!”
The ‘perfect spot’ for new affordable housing
The former school was closed in 2014 and was knocked down last year.
The council then put the 2.5 acre site on the market for offers in the region of £1 million.
The school was disused since 2014, when pupils from Hamilton School briefly attended there.
Aberdeen City Council initially had plans to reopen it in 2016 to accommodate children from Airyhall Primary, which was overcrowded.
However, that idea was scrapped when it emerged it would cost more than £400,000 to do up the building.
Marketing it last year, the council hailed it an “excellent development prospect”.
The architects say the family-heavy area makes it the perfect spot for new social housing, with a “well-equipped” playpark nearby which will be connected to the development with a new path.
Another perk, they say, is the various facilities in the area, such as the doctor’s surgery at the junction of Springfield Road and Countesswells Road.
And among the various shops in the area is a newly built Aldi.
Airyhall ‘not for putting families in poverty’
Mrs Gilah Cheesewright said she opposed the development as the area was “not for putting in families in poverty”.
She said: “Airyhall School has no space to take 30 families on board. The nursery has 55 in line on a waiting list and nowhere for these local children to go.
“There is only two childminders in the area to help cover childcare for helping families get back into employment and we are always full.”
Mr Kenny Moir objected on the basis the development would have a “sky scraper effect” on neighbouring properties.
Concerns social housing would create ‘skyscraper effect’
He said: “Proposed dwellings house construction is not in keeping with the area given that all the surrounding houses are one and a half storeys and the proposal is for two storey housing.
“The dwellings being higher will give a ‘skyscraper effect’ and potentially block out light to surrounding properties changing their current environment.”
As part of the consultation, Aberdeen City Council found there would be “sufficient available capacity” within Airyhall School to accommodate the numbers expected to be generated by the development.”
However, it said there is “insufficient” capacity at Hazlehead Academy and therefore the developer would be required to assist with the cost of reconfiguring the building to create more capacity or construction of a new building if that should go ahead.
You can view the plans and objections here.
