Progress on exciting work to regenerate the beach front area is continuing, an Aberdeen City Council committee heard today.
The members of the Full Council committee approved a Draft Beachfront Development Framework and Executive Summary which would integrate the Beach Ballroom with the potential state-of-the-art sport and leisure facilities.
The Draft Development Framework progresses with the ropes concept option which inspired by the historical rope and sail-making works which were located to the south of Queen’s Links. This concept is centred around the Beach Ballroom and it being re-imagined within the parkland setting with improved public realm.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Alex Nicoll said: “It is good to hear progress on the plans in the Beach Masterplan which are designed to create an open and more accessible beachfront with new facilities, and we look forward to more updates in the coming months.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “The beachfront plans would help to create more facilities for both residents and visits alike as well as making the area more accessible, so we welcome progress on the projects.”
The meeting also agreed a Draft Beachfront Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report and that an environmental report will be prepared to accompany the Development Framework.
The Draft Beachfront Development Framework and associated Strategic Environmental Assessment will undergo a six-week public consultation period which will be reported back to Full Council including any recommended revisions to the Draft Framework.
The Beach Masterplan is designed capitalise on the built and natural assets of the area which is a tourism priority in its own right and will continue to be in demand in a post-Covid-19 and recovery phase as people seek safe, outdoor, wildlife, and active experiences. The beach area is also an intrinsic component of the Aberdeen Coastal Trail, and the wide variety of tourism offer that includes nature, golf, maritime history, and dolphin watching.
The committee today agreed several short-term projects within the Beach Masterplan are to go to full business case including the urban park, events park, beach landscaping, public realm and landscaping changes to Broadhill and progress will be reported to Full Council in December (2022).
Medium-term projects to progress to outline business case include the new canopy, Beach Ballroom plaza, Broadhill structures, and the pedestrian spine, and progress on these is also to be reported to Full Council in December.
The same December council meeting will also be provided with updates on longer-term interventions to outline business case including the Beach Boulevard, Surf Village, Beach Ballroom, new stadium, new leisure facility, the boardwalk, a new slipway, the energy centre, and Justice Street
The committee also agreed a coastal protection studies and design development plans should be developed which will inform the outline business case and progress on this is to be reported to the December meeting.
The report to Full Council also noted the engagement work which has happened to date including with beach stakeholders and local primary schools, and this work is to continue.
The report is item 9.5 and can be viewed at Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 29th June, 2022, 10.30 am (aberdeencity.gov.uk)