Environmental agency Sepa has been given the final word on plans for flats in a former Aberdeen printworks.
Councillors yesterday approved proposals for 17 affordable homes within the footprint of the old Scottaspress site in Maberly Street.
But developer Aberdeen Capital Investment must carry out further flooding risk assessments before the environment quango will consider backing the plans.
Only once Sepa has withdrawn its holding objection can Town House officials rubber stamp the planning application, clearing the way for work to progress.
Sepa demanded more information on Maberly Street flood risk
The government agency’s objection came late in the day and was cause for a change in planners’ recommendations to the council committee.
Sepa raised concerns that the site is located in a “medium risk” area for flooding and asked for more information to “enable a better understanding” of the danger posed by the culverted Gilcomstoun Burn.
The risk was also highlighted by Midstocket and Rosemount councillor Bill Cormie, who highlighted that, despite climate change, the flood prevention scheme for the underground stream was decades old.
“You can see the Gilcomstoun Burn in Westburn Park. Down in that area, you don’t see it until it’s in people’s houses,” he warned.
Maberly Street flat plans had finally been recommended for conditional approval
Before Sepa’s contribution, council officers had recommended the plans be green lit.
The application had prompted 11 objections from residents raising concerns on matters including lack of parking, the height of the four-storey flatblock and loss of privacy for neighbours.
Meanwhile, George Street Community Council said that the plan would have an “adverse impact” on surrounding residents and added that it was a “substantial overdevelopment” of the site.
Council planners recommended the plan be given the green light as it was deemed “acceptable”.
The application received 11 objections from local residents raising concerns on matters including lack of parking, the height of the flats and loss of privacy for neighbours.
Meanwhile George Street Community Council said that the plan would have an “adverse impact” on surrounding residents and added that it was a “substantial overdevelopment” of the site, metres from the historic Broadford Works.
Granite used in the redevelopment would come from the former printworks, though councillors were told there was “no exact figure” for how much should be re-used.
Deferred approval: Fourth time’s the charm for Maberly Street flat plans?
There was further confusion ahead of the planning meeting as crossed wires led officials to suggest the 16 one-bed and single two-bedroom flats were being put on the mainstream market.
However, the developer has since confirmed to The P&J that housing association Hillcrest Homes has been lined up to take on the properties as affordable homes.
The firm previously had plans for the site thrown out in December 2020.
Two other applications, for 16 flats over four storeys and 10 flats on three floors, were withdrawn in 2019.
Aberdeen Capital Investments took its 2020 rejection to the Scottish Government, and its independent reporter supported the council’s decision based on concerns about how much of the granite from the demolished building would be reused.
You can watch the council meeting here.
