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£5.5m plans to transform ‘eyesore’ Silverburn House site in Aberdeen progress as ‘construction could start within months’

Cala Homes wants to build 72 modern homes at the derelict site of the former Baker Hughes base, which was demolished in 2019.

The now demolished site of the former Silverburn House, where Cala Homes wants to build 72 new houses.
The site across from the old AECC exhibition centre has been an "eyesore" at the city's entrance for about five years. Image: Supplied.

Work to turn the derelict Silverburn House site on the outskirts of Aberdeen into a modern residential development could start within months.

Cala Homes plans to plough £5.5 million into transforming the “eyesore” site at the north entrance of the Granite City into a “vibrant space for the community”.

The plot of land has lain empty for about five years since the controversial demolition of the former Baker Hughes base on Claymore Drive, across from the old AECC.

Silverburn House demolition.
Silverburn House was demolished in 2019. Image: Jim Irvine/DC Thomson.

After the oil and gas firm relocated to Dyce, it was torn down by the new owners to avoid paying business rates on the building with little commercial future.

There was a flicker of hope when Parklands View submitted plans for a major development – comprising of 119 homes, shops and offices – back in 2022.

The empty site has attracted fly-tipping over the last few years. Image: Chris Cromar/DC Thomson.

However, these proposals eventually fell through and residents began to worry the site that once housed a number of oil and gas giants would become a “dumping ground”.

And after months of uncertainty, Cala Homes swooped in earlier this year with a new vision for the “rather unsightly area”.

What do the housing plans for Silverburn House site involve?

Developers have now lifted the lid on their multi-million-pound plans to bring the vacant site back into use and build 72 homes there.

Planning papers say the new residential development will provide an “attractive entrance” to the city and create a “new vibrant community” north of Aberdeen.

They add the plot of land’s proximity to existing retail parks and services makes it the right location for “much-needed housing” amid rising demand.

An initial map of how the development will be laid out. Image: THE Architecture and Planning.

It’s adjacent to the Cloverhill site, where Aberdeen City Council plans to build another 563 houses – the first batch of which have already been constructed.

The new Cala Homes development will comprise of one, three, four and five bed homes, each equipped with an EV charger.

This is how the houses could look like once built. Image: THE Architecture and Planning.

And 18 affordable properties would also be created. These would include one and three-bed houses and cottage apartments.

Plans to ‘restore and enhance’ disused Silver Burn

Meanwhile, there will be a particular focus on improving the “natural assets” of the site – including the Silver Burn, which the area is named after.

Documents explain the land around the disused burn is “overgrown with grass” and the water course is “silted up”.

The green spaces haven’t been maintained properly – but Cala Homes want to change that. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson.

Cala Homes now plans to restore and enhance the area to turn it into an “attractive and safe” green space for future residents in the development.

All homes at the site will feature sustainability measures, as well as measures to support local wildlife.

There is currently no definite timeline on when the project should be completed.

However, construction work is expected to start within the next few months.

Cala Homes (North) senior land manager Lynn Melvin said: “We are pleased to have submitted an application to create a new community in Bridge of Don, which will turn disused land into much-needed high quality homes that are sympathetic to their surroundings in a fantastic suburb of the city.

She also pledged the development would boost charity and volunteering work in the area, and provide opportunity for kids at local schools.

You can find more details on the plans here.


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