Future of Aberdeen’s Union Gardens project still to be clarified

ANY NEW business case by Aberdeen City Council under a Scottish Government-backed funding scheme must include proposals for Union Terrace Gardens.

Infrastructure secretary Alex Neil told MSPs yesterday he has yet to receive any detailed information on updated plans from the local authority after councillors rejected the controversial £140 million City Garden Project last month. The proposal, to be part-financed to the tune of £50m by businessman Sir Ian Wood, included bringing the sunken garden up to street level and new public squares. The plan was backed in a closely fought referendum in the city, with 45,301 votes for and 41,175 votes against, but Labour said it was too expensive.