Plans described as “transformational” and totalling at least £20million, for Aberdeen’s famous Union Terrace Gardens have been approved by councillors after a heated debate.
LDA design, the firm behind London’s Olympic Park, submitted the proposals last year, including water features, a golden “halo” suspended above the central grass area, shops and cafes in the arches and community gardens along the rail tracks.
The business case and designs were approved yesterday by councillors with council leader Jenny Laing arguing the project was “important” to the city’s future.
However, the Labour-led administration were criticised by opposition parties for taking the whole of their five-year term to bring the plans forward, despite being elected on a pledge to revamp the gardens.
As the city council held its final full meeting before the May elections, SNP group leader Stephen Flynn said: “I’m sure most Aberdonians will remember Labour’s promise to deliver improvements in the gardens after they scrapped the original plans.
“Five years on and we haven’t seen any improvements, all we have seen is the administration spend millions of pounds putting together a plan – and a plan is very far from actually delivering results.
“There has still not been one spade in the ground in Union Terrace.”
His fellow SNP member, Bill Cormie, questioned whether any drainage work had been carried out ahead of the ambitious plans.
He was informed it had not started yet.
Deputy council leader, Marie Boulton, praised oil industry doyen, Sir Ian Wood, as the “catalyst” for the project after his own ambitious £50million scheme was rejected in 2012.
She added: “I am delighted that the business case was approved and grateful to Sir Ian Wood for providing the initial catalyst for the transformational project.
“I am disappointed that the SNP chose to try and undermine the massive amount of work that has been undertaken.
“Aberdeen’s in the process of rebranding itself and it is crucial we talk the city’s projects up and the council unites behind this positive change.
“We have a masterplan reference group, made up from the community, business and the group leaders of all the political parties, including councillor Flynn, who have committed to continue to scrutinise the UTG project and the 49 projects in the masterplan for the benefit of the city.”
