Aberdeen residents to vote on gardens project

Published on Thursday 16 February 2012 12:29

Aberdeen residents are being asked to vote on whether controversial plans to transform the city’s Union Terrace Gardens should be given the go-ahead.

Voting papers are being sent out today in a referendum to gauge public support for proposals to redevelop Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen.

The ballot asks people whether they support retaining Union Terrace Gardens or whether they back the £140 million City Garden Project design.

The “Granite Web” plan was last month chosen as the winning design.

It was created by Diller Scofidio and Renfro in collaboration with Scottish architects Keppie Design and landscape architects Olin Studio.

The design incorporates 70,000 sq ft of green space within eight gardens, along with a cultural and arts centre with a cafe and two new plazas on Union Street and Belmont Street.

Sir Ian Wood, the Aberdeen oil services tycoon, has pledged £50 million of his own money for the project.

The referendum closes at 5pm on March 1 and the count will take place the following day.

There have been objections to radical redevelopment of the area and a campaign against large-scale changes.

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Alan Craigie

Friday, February 17, 2012 at 01:57 PM

You should think about how it is to be paid for first camdow. Do a bit of research on TIF's.

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5

camdow

Friday, February 17, 2012 at 01:35 PM

I am a proud Aberdeen resident but I do find this very small minded fear of change some Aberdonians possess quite frustrating. I pass Union Terrace Gardens often and presently it is hardly used. I personally see it as a gift to the city which promotes continued use of the city centre which is good for businesses and the local community. I will be voting YES whole heartedly.

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nabodican

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 11:45 PM

It strikes me that the real problem is that the people of Aberdeen were presented with different designs on which they gave their opinion. The council then chose an entirely different design that the people were not consulted on. They should not be surprised therefore if the people say no.

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alwifie

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 06:21 PM

After seeing all the original plans for UTG, I can only say they are all monstrosities. Already in the past we have seen such follies which can only be contributed to successive Councils listening to architects and planners instead of the people of Aberdeen. Having just watched the video distributed yesterday online, I can say that it puts me off the whole idea. As an older person, it looks as if I will have to go up a hill to sit down. The little Public space for playing, next to Union Street? Full of pollution? It is sheer destruction of our heritage and is known worldwide already. It was My park when I was small. It was my children's park when they were small and it has always been a welcome escape from noise when in the town centre. There appears to be a great deal of bias in favour of the folk who want this colossal upheaval and a great deal of scaremongering as to why the gardens should disappear. I have spent hours in those gardens even in Winter when not so many people have been around and haven't seen anything untoward. It's more of a no go are going down UIion Street at night which in my opinion should be brought back to life first. This is Aberdeen with the kind of weather we get here, not some exotic location which enjoys hot weather for any length of time. Like the destruction of the George Street heritage and the loss of all the friendly shops there, I regard these plans as criminal especially at a time of cutbacks in things more necessary to the lives of the Public. It would not cost this vast amount of money to make UTG the place it once was, where everyone could enjoy some relaxation. It should have been upgraded years ago.

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Graham Slater

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 02:31 PM

Aberdonians should contact their councillors and demand the evidence which has been used by the publicly-funded ACSEF to forecast many thousands of jobs from this concrete monstrosity with which Sir Ian Wood intends to blight the centre of his home city. The walkways will need to be encased in 6' high fine wire mesh cages to meet health and safety regulations and again, councillors could be asked what they think of this..

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Alan Craigie

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 01:54 PM

Vote No often. Once again Aberdeen Council has made us the laughing stock of Scotland. Wasting money on this ridiculous project while we are closing pools, laying off classroom assistants and watching our roads crumble. All they do is find innovative ways to increase public debt to totally unsustainable levels. After the No vote hopefully the lot will resign.

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