Craigton Road - Development of Green Space.

On Tuesday 26 July, members of the Community Council met with representatives of Kingswellies Nursery, Halliday and Fraser and Drum Developments to discuss the application to build a Nursery on the green space immediately west of Northcote Lodge on Craigton Road. They were joined by two local residents..

The Community Council planning officer outlined the reason for the Community Council’s objection, stressing that it was based on the erosion of the green space, loss of local amenity and the damage to the local habitat and environment rather than the type of business being proposed.

Issues discussed included, 

• erosion of green space, encroachment into the Pitfodels conservation area
• validity of road assessment report
• inadequacy of proposed parking spaces and consequences
• road safety with regard to the children, drivers, pedestrians and pedal cyclists

It was established that no traffic flow, speed or volume checks had been made at the site and that the data used for the traffic assessment report were from "comparable" sites in England.

The Community Council was concerned that the Environmental walk over survey had been completed following one visit on a day in February. It was pointed out that such a survey was not an accurate reflection of the local Environment as it had been carried out at a time when winter hibernation or migration of insects, animals and birds and the subdued pasture reduced the wildlife in the area.

Only 10 parking spaces had been identified as being suitable for cars and other vehicles depositing 120 children at the site. The fact that the huge majority of the children would be dropped and collected within two 1 hour windows, and at peak times was pointed out. Members had concerns that where parking spaces were not available clients cars would be parked on grass verges and in Craigton Road giving concerns for pedestrian access and road safety.

The developers said that there was a need for nursery spaces in the area, and that no alternative sites had been identified. The Community Council members agreed that there was a need for additional spaces in Aberdeen, but not in the immediate locality. 

The applicant's site at Kingswells attract clients from as far afield as Alford and Aboyne and the same was anticipated for this site. It was suggested that local people could walk to the facility and that there was no other nursery in the same radius. Examples were given of three other nurseries in the local neighbourhood.

Building land (Braeside Nursery School site, Dandara, Treetops site and Countesswells Development) was identified to the developers by members but was said to be unsuitable.

The discussions were wide ranging and useful. 

The Community Council's letter of objection can be viewed by clicking here and the full application and coresspondence can be viewed by visiting the Aberdeen City Council Planning Department page by clicking here