A fresh investigation will be carried out into the future of a housing estate being bulldozed as part of a £30million plan to ease congestion at Aberdeen’s most notorious roundabout.
Last year, the local authority rehomed the 79 tenants living in the Middlefield Triangle area, which includes Logie Gardens, Logie Place, Logie Avenue and part of North Anderson Drive to make way for work on the Haudagain improvement project.
Residents in the area have been heavily consulted about their views with what to do with the spare land, which will be surrounded by dual carriageways once construction is finished.
A survey of those living in the Middlefield area narrowly backed one option for the site, which was to replace the buildings with just shops and greenery.
But the consultation was called “inconclusive” in a council report after it was revealed that just 131 people responded – despite 2,800 homes being canvassed.
At yesterday’s communities, housing and infrastructure committee councillors approved further investigations to determine if there is significant private sector interest in the site before making any further decisions through a “market testing exercise”.
Northfield and Mastrick North councillor Jackie Dunbar lodged an amendment seeking to push ahead with the results of the consultation of Middlefield residents and approve of the shops and green space option, however it was defeated by just one vote.
Last night she said: “This is unfortunately another delay.
“I have always gone to that committee with what the community have told me, and the community have told me they prefer the option of greenery and retail.
“There are enormous possibilities for rejuvenating this area with outdoor areas – it doesn’t have to be a park, it could for example even be a community orchard.
“Other options, which are still on the table, are not suitable and they aren’t what residents want.”
Yvonne Allan, the convener of the communities, housing and infrastructure committee said at yesterday’s meeting: “We’re not closing the door to any possibilities for the site.
“We need to look carefully at what our options are.”
Scottish ministers have said they are “open to discussion” to pledge cash towards the development, “once Aberdeen City Council shares a concrete plan for this area and the area’s residents.”
