MP slams 'one-sided consultation' into revamp of gardens

AN MP has condemned a "one-sided consultation" into controversial plans for Aberdeen's neglected Union Street Gardens.

Anne Begg, the Labour MP for Aberdeen South, hit out at the decision of the local economic forum to limit its public consultation on the site's future to a 140 million plan, backed by one of Scotland's richest men, to build a public square above the gardens.

The exercise, which began two weeks ago, has excluded a rival plan by Aberdeen-based Peacock Visual Arts to build a contemporary arts centre in the gardens.

Sir Ian Wood, the head of the Aberdeen-based Wood Group, has already pledged 50m from his personal fortune to create what he has described as a "vibrant new heart" for Europe's oil capital.

Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (Acsef) is seeking the views of people and groups throughout Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire on its proposals to make the oil tycoon's vision for a City Square a reality.

The development would be built above the valley containing Union Terrace Gardens and the Denburn dual carriageway and the main Aberdeen-Inverness rail line.

Ms Begg said:

"What we are being presented with at the moment in the consultation is only one person's vision for that scheme.

"The difficulty is that the consultation does not present both schemes that are on the table so that the people of Aberdeen are able to make a proper choice."

She added: "There are two visions on the table, and I have to say one doesn't make my heart sing and one does – and that is the Peacock development.

"We need a heart in the city centre. But to put in an underground mall will kill Union Street."

Sir Ian, however, defended his vision for a city square.

He said the driving force behind his plan was "economy and jobs" and the need for Aberdeen to become a world energy city.