Health chiefs are set for a showdown with Aberdeen City Council after refusing to scale back plans to build affordable housing for key workers.
An application for more than 100 homes in the grounds of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is due back before councillors next week.
But the planning committee has once again been recommended by officers to throw it out after anticipated changes were not made.
NHS Grampian has argued the scheme would help tackle its recruitment crisis – claiming that high local property costs deterred people from working in the city.
Grampian Housing Association would build and manage the properties with health workers having first priority on the accommodation.
However, the planning committee called a pause in August when officers declared that the loss of green space and trees meant the proposal should be rejected.
Local residents also questioned whether the affordable housing was needed at all and raised concerns that non-key workers will move in.
The committee was told the applicants were “supportive” of excluding a former allotment site and bowling green from the development – which would replace existing dilapidated staff accommodation.
But a letter to planning chiefs, released ahead of the meeting, has revealed that, despite talks, they have decided to stand their ground.
It states that building on the disused allotments and bowling green would not reduce “the overall quality of open space” in the area – which was well served by both Westburn and Victoria Parks.
And it adds a “large number of the existing mature trees” would be preserved.
An NHS Grampian spokesman responded: “We remain deeply disappointed by the recommendation of Aberdeen City Council officers.
“It is no secret the high cost of living in Aberdeen is having a considerable impact on our ability to recruit and retain staff.
“This project – which would provide affordable homes for key workers – offers a potential solution to this problem.
“Furthermore, if all units are not required for NHS staff, they can be offered to other organisations facing the same challenges recruiting key workers such as Police Scotland for new officers or Aberdeen City Council for new teachers.”
