Plans for a new £35million housing development at the former site of an Aberdeen school have taken a step forward.
Aberdeen City Council has submitted a detailed planning application to build 369 residential flats at the old location of Summerhill Academy.
Supermarket chain Morrisons had been granted planning permission to build on the Lang Stracht land, following the demolition of the school in 2012, but the retail company pulled out in 2014 for commercial reasons.
The council’s plans for the development are part of ongoing efforts to build 2,030 homes across the city as part of the local authority’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan.
It will consist of a mix of one, two and three bedroom flats to rent for those on lower income, with parking spaces for 296 cars earmarked.
In the proposal’s planning statement, architectural firm Norr Consultants said the need for lower rents had happened partly as a result of the downturn in the oil and gas industry.
The report stated: “Currently the economy in Aberdeen has been feeling the effects of the sharp and prolonged fall in the price of oil since the 2014 peak.
“This has resulted in a reduction in rents and house prices. However, the cost of housing in Aberdeen remains high and unaffordable to large numbers of people.
“It is important to continue with these projects to ensure a stable housing market for the future that can respond to the needs of the economy.”
At public consultations in February, residents in the nearby Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill communities voiced concerns over the increased amount of traffic and a larger need for parking which the development would create.
But, as a potential solution, the local authority’s roads service has highlighted the possibility of widening the road at the junction of Stronsay Drive and Lang Stracht bordering the site.
This could help ease congestion for motorists turning left and right.
However, despite concerns, the developer’s report stated that many residents were happy something was finally happening at the site, which has lain vacant since February 2012.
If approved at committee, work could begin as soon as this autumn, and it has been estimated that the new project could welcome its first residents by 2019.
