An Aberdeenshire community group has condemned the “lack of action” from their local council after waiting six years for town plans to be unveiled.
Ellon Matters is unconvinced residents’ concerns have been addressed by the new “needs-met” plans revealed for the old Ellon Academy site and has questioned why it has taken the council so long to tackle the issue.
The group was created after the resignation of the town’s community council in October last year and spokesman Tom Craggs said: “I have no idea why the residents have not been considered in these plans so far.
“The council has had since December 2011 to develop and implement alternative uses for the vacated academy sites – nothing has happened.
“Driven by lack of action, the Community Council conducted its own Town Survey in May 2015 and the residents of Ellon were quite clear on their needs/wants – many asked for a Marks and Spencer or a retail park on the site.”
Formartine area committee chair, Rob Merson, led the discussions and agreed public engagement should now be a priority.
He argued: “Ellon does not need any more shops, but we need to make greater use of the existing shops.”
A health centre, affordable housing, sheltered housing and council offices could all be built on the two sites formerly housing the academy – with the potential for opening up retail space within the town.
Aberdeenshire Council recently unveiled proposals which took a “needs-met” approach rather than “wish-led”.
And Ellon councillor, Isobel Davidson, said last night: “I am aware there is a desire in the community for more retail, but the council does not normally build retail units, so the area would have to be sold off.
“If the council eventually moves out of Neil Ross Square and other council buildings, there would be opportunities for retail, but we need to incorporate that into our plans and consult residents to build up a Masterplan for Ellon, not just the academy sites.”
Mr Craggs welcomed Mrs Davidson’s intervention, but asked: “Just how much longer do the residents of this town have to wait for a Town Centre Strategy?
“Hopefully, Aberdeenshire Council, the Formartine Area management and local elected councillors will get off their butts and engage with the community as a matter of urgency.”
