Delivering 2,000 new jobs is as easy as ABZ

PLANS to create up to 2,000 jobs at a new £100 million business park next to Aberdeen Airport have been unveiled.

The 54-acre park, aimed at delivering more than 750,000 square feet of commercial and industrial units and a new four- star airport hotel, is being developed by Aberdeen-based company Ribnort in co-operation with Aberdeen Airport Ltd, and it is hoped to have the business park’s units ready by next year.

The business park – to be called ABZ – is sited on land adjacent to the airport complex’s southern perimeter, between Dyce Drive and Wellheads Drive. George Stevenson, a director of Ribnort, said yesterday there was a potential for up to 2,000 jobs to be created once the site was fully occupied.

He said: “Commercial development land is in desperately short supply in Aberdeen, particularly in the north of the city, which is the main driver of ABZ.

“ABZ is moving forward rapidly and we look forward to commencing infrastructure works at an early date, with the aim of having units ready for occupation from summer 2012.”

He said attracting new and retaining existing major business headquarters in the North east is vital to the economy.

Mr Stevenson added: “The site, which comprises the land between Dyce Drive, Aberdeen Airport and Wellheads Drive, is in an absolutely ideal position in terms of its location adjacent to the A96 and the future Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.”

Mr Stevenson said that securing a four-star hotel at ABZ will boost the region’s reputation as a tourism destination.

Derek Provan, the managing director of Aberdeen Airport, said: “I am delighted that after a number of years, Ribnort Ltd and Aberdeen Airport Ltd have been able to deliver a robust development plan for this site, which offers growth to the airport in line with our 25 year master plan and strengthening economic growth for the region.”