The Granite City’s silver sands could be restored to their former glory under ambitious new plans for Aberdeen beach.
The proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan identifies improved pedestrian access and transport links as priorities.
It also proposes giving the beach its own masterplan – similar to that which already exists for the city-centre.
The document says: “Aberdeen beach is one of the major leisure developments in the city which is appreciated by both residents and visitors.
“However, the beach is not perceived as being accessible from the city-centre, as the route is not very attractive or pedestrian friendly, and the area is also perceived as being rundown.
“Through the City Centre Masterplan and Delivery Programme, linkages and connectivity to the beach from the city centre will be addressed.
“However, if it is decided that a full masterplan for the beach will help benefit the area then this could be commissioned in the future.”
Elsewhere the report’s authors describe the city-centre as “the preferred location for retail, commercial, leisure and other significant footfall generating development serving a city-wide or regional market”.
There is also a requirement to protect and enhance “important views of the city’s townscape, landmarks and features when seen from busy and important publicly accessible vantage points such as roads, railways, recreation areas and pathways and particularly from the main city approaches”.
Environmental campaigner Gregor McAbery said putting people at the heart of the city was the way ahead.
Mr McAbery, of Friends of the Earth Aberdeen, said: “Aberdeen is an amazing city to live in, but we really need the city-centre masterplan and other planning tools to make it a lot easier to get about by public transport and safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
“We are all pedestrians at some point but good access for all users is often overlooked.
“We will be looking for the new planning process to consolidate existing developments, increase density and provide for mass transit and walking and cycling routes that are attractive and safe.”