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Controversial Aberdeen masterplan shortlisted for national awards

It's all part of the masterplan, according to cllr Boulton
It's all part of the masterplan, according to cllr Boulton

The controversial Aberdeen City Council city centre masterplan has been “highly commended” by a national planning awards body.

The multimillion-pound vision for the next 20 years was shortlisted in two separate categories at the UK-wide Planning Awards in London.

A total of 49 schemes are included in the blueprint, including the pedestrianisation of much of Union Street, an expansion of Union Terrace Gardens, a new footbridge over the River Dee, and revamps of the city’s shopping centres.

The masterplan, produced by the council with renowned consultants BDP, was put forward for both the Strategic Planning and the Stakeholder Engagement in Planning awards.

It was ranked “highly commended” in the first category and was a finalist in the second.

Councillors in Aberdeen unanimously approved the programme in June following an extensive public and stakeholder engagement programme.

More than 4,000 people living and working in the city were involved in the consultation process.

But the plan has also attracted many critics including “Queen of shops” Mary Portas who bemoaned the state of Union Street stores.

The council’s deputy leader Councillor Marie Boulton said: “I am delighted that our city centre masterplan and delivery programme was shortlisted for these national awards.

“It is recognition for both the process that was followed in terms of engaging with the public and also the masterplan itself, which sets out a clear, well-evidenced vision for the future of the heart of the city.

“Crucially, it will be backed up by a detailed delivery programme, as there is no sense in having a large document that sits on a shelf.”

But prominent Scottish economist Tony McKay, who was initially scathing of the masterplan business case when it was first revealed, said he was not convinced about the numbers.

He said: “My opinion hasn’t changed and I must say that I was very surprised to hear they had been nominated for awards.

“I still feel that a lot more needs to be done, given the downturn in the oil industry hitting the city.

“The plan was far too optimistic to begin with and doesn’t address the current state of the Aberdeen economy.”