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Controversial Aberdeen student development could be approved despite community’s objections

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Councillors have been urged to approve a controversial student housing development.

Developers behind the George Street 121-room complex were forced to go back to the drawing board in June when their plans were refused.

McLaren Group has now submitted a fresh application for the scheme, which has been scaled back.

Now, city planning chiefs have recommended that the committee moved forward with the new scheme.

The facility would be five-storeys at its highest, down from six, and would also include a rooftop garden for decoration.

The recommendations come despite there being a number of opponents of the proposals, including a city MSP.

In a letter of objection, Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart stated: “One of the reasons for the previous application being rejected was that it was deemed to be an over-development and, I believe a reduction of one storey to still constitute an over-development.”

Mr Stewart also claimed there was a lack of parking provision for students who had to use cars for travelling to placements.

“Furthermore I understand that there is a rooftop garden for decoration within the plan. I think it is naive to believe that students will not use this facility, even if instructed not to do so,” he added.

George Street Community Council also objected to the proposals on a number of grounds.

In particular, the group highlighted the number of similar developments being built in the area.

In their letter of objection, Michele MacLeod, acting chairwoman, said: “Having such an overabundance in a small area cannot be healthy for the spirit of the community which is hard enough to encourage without having such a transient population coming and going with such regularity as is the wont with such developments.”

Aberdeen Civic Society has also objected to the plan, claiming it bears “little resemblance to the traditions normally found in the north-east of Scotland.”

But last night the developer said it had been working closely with city planners to ensure the new proposals addressed the concerns of the community.

A spokeswoman added: “We are hopeful that members appreciate the significant enhancements that have taken place in this development. McLaren Property are keen to invest in Aberdeen and deliver a high quality proposal on this redundant site.”

The proposal will be discussed by the planning committee on Thursday.