Plans for a residential development in the Bridge of Don could deliver £100million of new investment into the city, if planning consent is granted.
The economic impact report into the proposed Cloverhill development has revealed that the total construction value of £100million will create 40 new jobs and support 290 construction jobs. Once completed, the development would generate annual GVA of £12.8 million. Developer contributions of around £3.9m would help fund improvements to schools, leisure facilities and other local infrastructure, while the new homes will bring in £1.1million per annum in new council tax revenues.
A planning application for Cloverhill was submitted by Cognito Oak LLP, a partnership between HBD and Wraith Real Estate, earlier this year.
The proposal is to create a new coastal village of 550 new homes and community facilities. Almost half of the 22.5 hectare site will be open green space, landscaping and parkland to promote well-being and healthy outdoor activities. Community facilities would include a village square with small retail and business units, parks, pathways and an all-weather, floodlit football pitch.
Around 165 of the 550 homes will be affordable and would help tackle the housing shortfall. Aberdeen City Council has aspiration to deliver 2,000 new affordable homes by 2022. In Bridge of Don alone the waiting list for council houses is currently 2,500.
The proposed development, just north of Aberdeen Energy Park, has been zoned for business for ten years but poor market conditions have prevented its development
Cliff Campbell of Cognito Oak LLP said: “At Cloverhill, we aim to create a highly sought-after inclusive, sustainable and low carbon community. Nestled on the coast between Bridge of Don and Aberdeen Beach, and close to areas of employment, the community will be designed to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle with community at its heart.
“Our research shows that there is little chance of the site attracting commercial development but, under our plans, there would be significant economic impact and positive contributions for local services which more than justify the change of use from industrial land to residential.”
The submitted plans have been subject to extensive consultation and have secured over-whelming public support, with 130 representations in support of the plans, versus four objections.
Nigel Munro of HBD added: “The feedback from the consultation shaped our final plans. After listening to the local community, we scrapped the proposal for a recycling centre and added in community sports facilities. The shortage of bungalows, to cater for older residents looking to downsize to smaller facilities without moving into a flat or managed facility, was highlighted. We have therefore committed to ensuring around 5% of our new homes will be all on one level. This will result in more family-sized properties becoming available to meet that market demand.”