A top north-east businessman has claimed that many people feel “pressurised” into supporting Sir Ian Wood’s proposals for Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens because of his status.
Jim Milne, chairman and managing director of Balmoral Group, said he knew many people in the business sector felt “intimidated” into backing the project, which would create a civic square in the heart of the city.
Sir Ian has offered to donate £50million to the £140million project to raise the Victorian park to street level and act as a link between Aberdeen’s main streets.
Peacock Visual Arts had been granted full planning permission for a £13million contemporary arts centre built into the slope of the gardens when the Aberdeen-based Wood Group chairman announced his plans for a five-acre development.
It would cover over the gardens, railway line and Denburn dual-carriageway.
Yesterday, Mr Milne claimed that Peacock’s proposals had been “blown out of the water” when Sir Ian unveiled his vision for the gardens, which is being steered by Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (Acsef).
He stressed that he was not launching an attack on Sir Ian – who he has worked with in the past – but added that he was passionate about what was best for Aberdeen.
Mr Milne, whose firm has its HQ in Aberdeen, said: “I feel strongly about making a stance, and don’t want to appear anti-Ian because he has done a phenomenal amount for the city and has a very successful company.
“It is also very noble and generous of him to offer £50million of his own money for the project.
“But we have to get what is best for the city.
“With regard to the city square plan, I personally know many individuals, especially within the business sector, that feel pressurised into supporting the Acsef project by their peers.
“Individuals have told me about their experiences of dealing with the city square project team and have felt intimidated.
“I would really like to know how Sir Ian believes the installation of another concrete development in the city will bring the jobs and prosperity he predicts.
“As far as I can tell, the people of Aberdeen do not want Union Terrace Gardens desecrated.
“People don’t necessarily go into the gardens every time they are in the town, but they often look down and admire it. To put a concrete jungle there would be a mistake.”
Mr Milne added that he felt the £140million estimated cost of the project was unrealistic, and that it would probably run over-budget.
He also warned against comparing it to schemes in Barcelona and Moscow, and said people had to remember the size of Aberdeen.
And Mr Milne criticised the ongoing public consultation on the city square proposals, saying that Peacock, which he said he would consider investing in, should have been included in it.
“Peacock had been granted planning permission when all this happened,” he said.
“Their proposal was just the right thing and came along at the right time, and would have definitely improved the park. Peacock have worked hard to raise their funding.
“What they are offering brings more to the city. It was more than just an arts centre. It seems unfair that they were not included in the consultation process.
“The centre had full support from Acsef when it started off, but then along came Sir Ian’s proposal and it was blown out of the water.”
Last night, a spokeswoman for Acsef said: “It is nonsense to suggest people are being pressurised to support the city square project.
“Acsef has overwhelming support for this from the Acsef board and the thousands of businesses with whom it actively engages.
“Sir Ian has always said that such a transformational project must be what the people of Aberdeen want.
“If the public does not support this project then he will withdraw his offer of £50million and it will not go ahead.
“His plea is that everyone participates in the public consultation to make their views known – for or against.”
Balmoral employs 350-plus people and operations include Balmoral Offshore Engineering, Balmoral Advanced Composites, Balmoral Tanks and Balmoral Park.
International energy services company Wood Group employs more than 28,000 people worldwide and operates in 50 countries.