Planning applications have been submitted to create new areas at Aberdeen beach which would be attractions in their own right, complement existing natural areas, and have been shaped by the city’s youngsters.
The applications, for a beach park and events park, with supporting blue badge parking, are all at the Queen’s Links either side of the Beach Boulevard which are currently maintained grassy areas. They are part of the City Centre and Beach Masterplan which is designed to reinvigorate the areas culturally and economically, attracting people to spend time in them.
This first phase of works would upgrade the green spaces which already attract visitors to the area while providing a higher quality environment and broadening the range of activities which can be enjoyed at the beach.
The applications said the beach park area, at the south end of the site, will focus on a variety of landscaped play and sports areas with built structures including a gateway building, a hub building, two canopies, and a play structure called The Rope Factory.
The proposed car park and junction would be from Links Road and would provide dedicated blue badge parking spaces to the beach park area.
The proposed events park, at the Beach Ballroom end of the site, would have several structures including a canopy and an amphitheatre building.
The planning applications also include details of additional public realm and landscaping at the site which would be covered under Permitted Development.
The planning applications referred to the extensive consultation which has taken place with children and young people, who have helped to influence and shape the facilities in the beach park and the events park.
The City Centre and Beach Masterplan is designed to 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 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 planning applications can be viewed at Simple Search (aberdeencity.gov.uk) using the reference numbers 231082/DPP, 231083/DPP and 231084/DPP. It should be emphasised that the designs may evolve during the planning process and consequently the artists’ impressions may change.