Plans to build student flats, retirement homes and a sports centre in an Aberdeen conservation area have been branded “sheer horror” by residents.
The draft proposals for a 24-acre site south of North Deeside Road between Garthdee and Cults have been unveiled by award-winning developer Charles Ferrari and David Suttie.
A road would also be built through the complex across the railway line – and would not cost council tax payers a penny.
But residents have already raised fears over the environmental impact of the project and are worried there could be transport issues.
The as-yet-unnamed scheme has been drawn-up Mr Ferrari and Mr Suttie’s Cults Development Company Ltd.
It would include 234 student flats, 49 retirement homes, a sports centre and the new road connecting North Deeside Road and Inchgarth Road.
The plans have not yet been submitted to the local authority in any form but the development company has held “initial discussions” with the city council roads chiefs regarding the road and has had talks with representatives from the nearby Robert Gordon University.
One resident said last night: “A lot of us have been reacting with sheer horror. It’s within the green belt and it’s a beautiful conservation area.
“Even in the existing structure plan, and the proposed structure plan, they want to breach the green belt, even though it was recommended by councillors and planners.
“These proposals here are not appropriate for this area. They’ve also said the road will relieve traffic from the nearby Pitfodels Station Road and Westerton road, but in fact all it will do is increase traffic flow on Inchgarth road.”
Another resident said: “There’s only 25 parking spaces provided in the plans for the student village, and what about the sports pavilion, where they say they’re going to be getting hundreds of people in at the weekend? Where are they going to park?
“There’s so much wildlife in these fields. There are already so many of these huge flats, all along the railway line, they’re awful.”
Mr Ferrari, the property development director of the limited company behind the proposals, said: “We are pleased to see a healthy debate. We will now take on board the principal comments made and review the overall proposal with a view to finding a solution acceptable to the parties concerned.
“It’s only by being reactive to issues raised that we can create a more positive future for the city.”
As well as an all-weather pitch, the proposed sports centre would have a clubhouse.
