Dons object to Pittodrie housing plan

The Dons, whose chairman, Stewart Milne, is the head of the housing giant the Stewart Milne Group, emerged as the only objector to proposals by construction rival Morrison Homes for a major residential development at the old gasworks site right next to Pittodrie.

In a submission to Aberdeen City Council, lawyers acting for the club claim the proposed housing development will raise serious questions about how football can continue to be played at Pittodrie and could have "serious social and economic" consequences for the city.

Morrison Homes have submitted plans to build 18 houses and 149 flats at the former gas works site at Gallowhill.

Bob Reid, the council’s head of physical development, is recommending that the scheme be given the go-ahead at next Thursday’s meeting of the city planning authority.

But solicitors Paull and Williamson, acting on behalf of the Dons, have sent a detailed eight page letter to the planning committee, objecting to the proposals.

The lawyers state that the scheme would be the closest residential development to the stadium and would create a conflict over noise nuisance between the club and residents in the housing scheme.

Their letter states: "On match days, householders would be subjected to an unacceptable level of noise during matches itself, from crowds arriving and departing and from the PA system.

"Many people regard the evenings and weekend when matches are played as a time for relaxation. Significant noise at this time could be regarded as particularly intrusive and annoying.

"The noise from the stadium is not constant and anonymous like much traffic noise. It is intermittent and irregular. It comes in surges and is likely to be more disturbing than constant noise."

The solicitors continue: "Our clients are seriously concerned that they will find themselves on the receiving end of complaints from incoming residents about noise and they could trigger a private nuisance action or an action by the local authority.

"A nuisance action, if successful, would raise serious questions about whether and, if so, how football could continue at Pittodrie. This, in turn, could have serious social and economic consequences for the city as whole."

They argue: "There should be a presumption against a new residential development that will give rise to amenity problems because of conflicts with an existing established use - in this case the stadium."

Mr Reid, the head of planning, dismisses the alleged noise conflict in his report and he is recommending that councillors approve the Morrison development on the gasworks site.

A spokesman for Aberdeen FC yesterday rejected suggestions that the club’s objections had anything to do with the possible future redevelopment of the Pittodrie stadium site.

He said: "The reason we have submitted an objection is because Kingswells may not happen. There is to be a public inquiry. On the basis that we do not have an alternative site that is suitable, we obviously have to keep Pittodrie very much in our thoughts.

"These flats are going to be so close to the stadium that the last thing that we want is complaints from local residents about noise pollution on a match day."

The spokesman added: "We are being accused of having no Plan B. Plan B would be staying at Pittodrie."

Earlier this month Aberdeen FC unveiled its detailed plans for the new 30 million stadium and leisure complex at Kingswells, which would form part of Scotland’s bid to host the Euro 2008 championship.

The ambitious scheme will involve the construction of a 30,000-seater stadium - based on the world-famous Stade de France in Paris - near the suburb of Kingswells.

The complex will also include a football academy and leisure centre, complete with an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Provision has also been made at the site for a hotel as well as retail and food outlets.

But the plan is almost certain to face a full public inquiry because the development would have to be built on green belt land.