Council spurns offer of new flower bed

A LABOUR MSP has attacked Aberdeen City Council's decision to stop an opponent of the controversial Union Terrace Gardens development from paying for a new floral display there.

Lewis Macdonald, the MSP for Aberdeen Central, has written to Sue Bruce, the local authority's chief executive, calling on the council to think again.

The plan to turn the Victorian gardens into a new green space has bitterly divided the city. Steven Bothwell, a local businessman who opposes the 140 million development, had offered to pay for a new flower bed, containing the "I Love UTG" logo of Friends of Union Terrace Gardens, the campaign group opposed to the city square project.

The city council rejected the offer, saying floral displays that promote organisations or individuals cannot be allowed in the gardens.

Mr Macdonald said the council should accept Mr Bothwell's "generous" offer, arguing that the gardens are a public asset, not private property.