PLANS for the biggest expansion of the Bridge of Don area of Aberdeen in decades took a major step forward yesterday as they were lodged with the city council.
The Grandhome Trust scheme would effectively create a new community with 4,700 houses, schools, shops and health facilities as well as new land for business use.
But last night, concerns were raised that it could lead to “mayhem” on the already heavily congested Parkway.
The road – which forms part of the A90 trunk route through the city – is used by commuters travelling from communities in the north including Ellon, Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
With the site earmarked for 7,000 homes by 2023 in the long-term local plan, there are fears the Parkway simply will not be able to cope with the extra traffic.
But backers of the project insisted yesterday that the development was needed to meet the anticipated growth of the city over the next 10-20 years and that it would provide a “new town centre” for existing Bridge of Don residents.
It is also expected that the completion of major infrastructure projects including a third crossing over the River Don and the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route would help ease the pressure the local road network.
Under the plans, construction work for the first 500 homes would begin late next year at the site, west of Whitestripes Avenue. The development would then be phased over a 25-year period.
The design concept is based on “walkable neighbourhoods”, with the aim of providing easy access to shops and facilities and reducing dependency on cars.
Bruce Smith, trustee and spokesman for the Grandhome Trust, said the group was seeking planning permission in principle after a lengthy pre-application public consultation process.
He said: “From the outset of this process we have sought to ensure that Grandhome will embody the very best characteristics of successful communities and set new standards for development in the city.
“Assembling an expert team and taking the time to engage widely and in-depth with our stakeholders have been at the heart of our approach and we are now pleased to be taking the next step towards delivering Grandhome with this application for planning permission in principle.
“Ultimately, our vision is to provide an attractive and desirable community in which to live and work and which contributes to the long-term sustainability and success of Aberdeen as a city.”
Long-serving ward councillor John Reynolds quit the Liberal Democrat party over the allocation of more than 7,000 houses for the area in the 2012 local plan. He encouraged residents to make their feelings known if they are opposed to the scheme.
Mr Reynolds added: “There is a huge amount of concern about this locally, because we know that all the traffic will come on to the Parkway, and it just cannot cope.
“There will be mayhem if this goes ahead.”
Labour ward councillor Willie Young said: “Whatever happens, we have to make sure that the infrastructure is there whether that is schools, roads or medical facilities so we are not being caught on the back foot.” The last public consultation event was held in October 2012 with a two-day exhibition at Mains of Scotstown.
Among the main changes made in response to the comments received from locals was the inclusion of a community cinema or arts centre and the relocation of the health centre to the town centre.