Concerns have been raised over plans to build flats for almost 200 students in a crowded Aberdeen community.
The Edinburgh-based company Locate Developments has earmarked the site of Garthdee’s Caledon Bar, as well as the neighbouring Ashvale fish and chip shop and Arthi’s Indian restaurant, for demolition in order to make way for the new complex.
However some residents have raised concerns about the changing nature of the area, as the new facility will provide flats for 198 students, on top of the many houses of multiple occupancy (HMO) properties currently in the area.
Paul O’Connor, chairman of Garthdee Community Council, recently met the developers to discuss the project and the possible ramifications for parking.
Mr O’Connor said: “We have been assured that students living in the flats will not get parking permits, as it will be classed as a halls of residence, and as part of their tenancy they will not be permitted to take cars.
“We are fine with these assurances, but our other concern is that we don’t want Garthdee to become a student village.
“Students need accommodation like everybody else, but the problem is if the student population goes any higher here we’ll have a problem where our community population becomes too fluid.
“You end up getting a fair section of the community where there are no people there for several months of the year, and it can lose some of its identity.”
No one from Locate Developments was available to comment on the project yesterday, however, the company, which currently owns the Caledon, has submitted a notification of its intention to lodge a planning application with the city council.
Mr O’Connor urged bosses to demonstrate a willingness to consider the needs of Garthdee residents.
He added: “The community expects something in return for anything that’s built here by any developer.
“We’re going to have to lose some amenities here, a pub, a chipper and an Indian, so the developers need to make sure they can give something back to the overall community.”