A “pioneering” scheme will offer the people of Aberdeen colourful city centre spaces to relax in.
Aberdeen Inspired plans to build a parklet and a pocket park to transform two areas of the city.
The organisation submitted two planning applications to the local authority, and pinpointed spots in Huntly Street and at St James’ Episcopal Church for the installations.
Temporary planning permission has now been secured for a “run down” site in Huntly Street, which is currently a lay-by used to house wastebins and motorbike parking.
The area will be transformed with a timber bench installed and a number of planters filled with plants and greenery introduced.
Planning documents state: “There are two main aims of this project. Firstly, to improve the area by creating an inviting ‘green’ space to encourage people to spend more time in the area.
“A lack of ‘linger’ space is often cited by locals to Aberdeen Inspired as something they would like to see introduced to the city centre.
“The location of the site next to a coffee house and a supermarket makes it an ideal spot for causal outdoor eating and drinking, with potentially high footfall passing by on Union Street.”
Aberdeen City Council granted temporary planning permission this week, on the condition the structure be removed by March 31 unless consent is granted for it to remain.
Last night, Innes Walker, Aberdeen Inspired city centre manager, said: “Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to be delivering parklets and reactivating green space in our city centre.
“These structures can be removed but it is our hope that a positive public reaction will not only see them remain in place, but also extended to other areas of the city centre.
“We very much look forward to the spring and seeing parklets bringing forward another positive development in the city centre. “
