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DONS'
OFFICIALS SAY BADGERS WON'T AFFECT
KINGSWELLS PLANS: BADGER sightings near the
proposed site of the Dons' new stadium
will not scupper plans to move to
Kingswells, according to club
officials. Residents
to the west of the site say badgers are
regular nocturnal visitors to their
gardens, leaving fur on fences and claw
marks in borders. Their
protected status could hinder the club's
plans to build a £30million stadium
at Bellfield Farm but club officials say
the proposed site is badger free.
"I didn't realise
there were badgers here until my daughter saw them.
Much to my disappointment I haven't seen
them." She said her
daughter had spotted a badger last November. It had
ambled across the lane in front of her car.
Neighbours have
also reported badgers moving across fields, she
said. Mrs Humphries added
that many people were concerned about the impact a
football stadium would have on wild animals and
vegetation. "We have a lot of
wildlife here and are really quite concerned about
the greenbelt land. People come out here to walk
and se the foxes or deer." The Scottish
Wildlife Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage are
investigating the area for the tell-tale signs of
badgers. The Protection of
Badgers Act 1992 makes it an offence to kill or
harm badgers, or to interfere with their
setts. A spokeswoman for
Scottish Natural Heritage said: "If badgers are
proven to be present then the local authority has
to take it into account when making planning
decisions. It is likely that certain conditions
would be placed on any planning consent."
Licensed badger
experts could be brought in to ensure that their
foraging grounds are preserved or that setts are
protected. In some cases,
badgers have been moved to new homes. However, an
environmental assessment, commissioned by the club,
concluded that badgers would not be disturbed by
the planned stadium. But it did find
evidence of a population living around Upper
Kingshill, to the west of the site. A spokesman for
Aberdeen Football Club said: "Yes there are badgers
roundabout but there is no evidence that there are
badgers on the site itself." By ROB CRILLY (Press and Journal 05
February 2002)
BADGERS
COULD SINK STADIUM - Aberdeen Football Club's plans to
relocate to a purpose built £30million stadium
in Kingswells could run into a fresh hurdle -
badgers. The club's move to a green belt site in
the area has never been far from controversy with
strong local objection to the development.
Now protesters
claim that badgers have set up home on the middle
of the proposed site, which means laws protecting
the species could force the club to abandon their
plans. The proposed site
on farmland to the south of the suburb is also
earmarked to contain a hotel, football academy,
sports hall, fast-food outlet and commercial and
community developments, which the club claims will
benefit the local community. The club hope the
Scottish Executive will invest as much as
£20million in the proposed £30million
stadium and leisure complex - if Aberdeen is
eventually included in the joint Scottish and Irish
bid to host the European Football Championships in
2008. Opponents claim a
Kingswells stadium would spark a traffic nightmare
and have demanded studies of a rival site at
Charlestown , south of Aberdeen on the A90.
Last night,
Kingswells Community Council secretary Barrie
Buchan said: " The community Council has had
badgers reported to them by a lady who lives in
that area. "We cannot ignore them and feel they
need protection." However, an AFC
spokesman last night had never heard of the badger
issue before. (Press
and Journal Monday February 4, 2002)
FIGURES FOR NEW
BUS SERVICE SHOW SLUMP: THE latest park-and-ride figures for
Aberdeen have shown a drop following the festive
period. Bridge of Don
figures released yesterday, revealed that between
Monday, January 14, and Saturday, January 19, 2,598
cars used the service compared with 3,243 between
November 12-18. Statistics for
Kingswells also showed a drop, with 838 cars using
the system for the same period in January compared
with 923 for the week in November. Council leader Len
Ironside was unconcerned about the drop in figures
and said it was to be expected for the time of
year. He said: "We would
expect something of a slump in numbers following
the busy Christmas and New Year periods, but I am
delighted that figures have remained steady at what
is traditionally a quieter time of year."
In the run-up to
Christmas, figures for Kingswells soared to 1,722
vehicles using the scheme during the second week in
December. The Kingswells
service got of to a rocky start in October. Barely
100 motorists used the scheme during its first two
weeks of operation. Councillors
rejected claims that it had lost money. The park-and-ride
scheme also attracted criticism after the route was
changed at the 11th hour and it emerged that almost
£200,000 had been spent on preparation of the
previous route. (Posted 22 January 2002)
http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/
FOOTBALL
PLAN STATEMENT - VIEWS SOUGHT: The consultation period for
views on an Environmental Statement relating to
Aberdeen Football Club's application for a regional
centre for sporting and leisure excellence at
Kingswells opens this week. Those wishing to
make a comment on the statement have until February
15 to write to Aberdeen City Council's Planning and
Strategic Development Department. The statement,
which incorporates an environmental impact
assessment and transport assessment of the
proposal, is available, along with the planning
application papers, for public inspection at the
Planning Department, 8th floor St Nicholas
House. Aberdeen Football
Club is also making the statement available at all
public libraries from Wednesday (January
16). Copies have also
gone to Kingswells Community Council and to Cults,
Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council.
Copies of the
statement can also be purchased from Barton
Willmore Partnership, 12 Alva Street, Edinburgh,
EH2 4QG at a cost of £150 including postage
and packaging (without the appendices) or £300
(with all appendices). * Aberdeen City
Council's Planning Director Peter Cockhead is
recommending that a Departure Plan Hearing be held
into the football club's application to build a
"regional centre for sporting and excellence"
including a 30,000 seater football stadium at
Kingswells. In a report to the
Planning Committee, which meets on Thursday (Jan
17), Mr Cockhead says that the application has led
to "a substantial number of objections and has
caused a high degree of local interest and
controversy". He adds:
"Accordingly it is recommended that in these
circumstances it is appropriate to hold a hearing
in order to debate the proposed
development." A hearing will not
be held until the consultation process is completed
and planning officials have made a full
assessment. Mr Cockhead says
that there have been 1,459 letters of objection and
one letter of support for the application. (Posted
15.1.2002)
GLOSSY
BROCHURE FAILS TO WIN KINGSWELLS COUNCIL'S
SUPPORT:
Kingswells residents said last night they remained
strongly opposed to the stadium plans, even after
seeing more in-depth images for the new stadium
provided by Aberdeen Football Club. Community council
members, who are spearheading opposition in the
village to the development, were not swayed by the
tempting lure of images showing how indoor bowls,
go karting and 10-pin bowling facilities would look
from their doorsteps. The group's
secretary, Barrie Buchan, said of the new images
contained in a booklet released by AFC: "There is
nothing new in it. It is just more of the same,
except it is in colour. It is just a glossy
brochure and even as a glossy brochure it has got
very little substance to it. "It is the same as
the outline plan. Our stance is totally
unchanged." Mrs Buchan
continued: "It does show that the community
facility is a piece of land to accommodate a
competition-size swimming pool and that is in black
and white for the first time. "Do Aberdeen City
Council have the resources for a swimming pool,
all-weather hockey pitch and the other facilities
for the Kingswells community? "The people of
Kingswells have put their feelings across in a poll
to the community council and 93% of people in
Kingswells said quite categorically they did not
want it." The Dons plans for
the 112-acre Kingswells site are centred on a new
30,000-seater stadium for AFC and would create a
regional centre of excellence for sport in
Scotland. The plans show the
heart of the scheme would be a central piazza. This
would be linked to neighbouring Kingswells and the
adjacent park-and-ride facility by a pedestrian
route known as Pittodrie Way. The existing
tree-lined lane at the eastern edge of the site
would be retained as a pedestrian link to Hazlehead
Park and the golf course to the south. Off the piazza,
there would be a sports science building, 10-pin
bowling, an ice-rink and two catering/dining
outlets. Also included in the plans are an indoor
bowls hall, five-a-side football and
go-karting. To the south of the
stadium, there would be a golf academy with driving
range and the Scottish Football Academy, comprising
five full-size football pitches along with teaching
facilities. The community facility would have a
competition-sized swimming pool, diving and
training pools, a hockey hall and all-weather
hockey pitch. To the north of the
stadium, there would be a hotel. The western portion
of the site would be given over to a significant
structural landscaping scheme, including a
protected corridor for the proposed Western
Peripheral Route. Aberdeen City
Council's planning committee will be asked to
support the move for a public hearing into the
stadium proposals when it meets next
Thursday. Planning director
Peter Cockhead will ask members to support the idea
because the application had led to "a substantial
number of objections and . . . controversy". The
council revealed on Wednesday that it had received
almost 1,500 objections to the plans. By GEOFFREY BEW 11
January 2002 http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/
PRESSURE
MOUNTS FOR PROBE INTO STADIUM PLAN: CITY planners are being
urged to back moves for a public hearing into
Aberdeen Football Club's Kingswells stadium
proposals after Aberdeen City Council confirmed
yesterday there had been almost 1,500
objections. The planning
committee, which meets next Thursday will be asked
to support the move by planning director Peter
Cockhead because the application had led to "a
substantial number of objections and has caused a
high degree of local interest and
controversy". The stadium plays a
central role in Scotland's bid to host the Euro
2008 championships but the application sparked
concerns from a host of community groups and
residents in and around the Kingswells area.
The objections
relate to concerns about increased traffic
congestion, access for emergency vehicles,
insufficient parking, noise pollution and the
impact on wildlife. There are also
concerns about the possible impact on property
values, insufficient facilities for fans and the
difficulties of policing fans around the stadium if
it is used for concerts. A host of community
groups including Kingswells Community Council,
Kingswells Infrastructure First Group, Braeside and
Mannofield Community Council, Aberdeen Civic
Society and Friends of the Earth in Aberdeen have
objected. Outline planning
permission is being sought for the Don's plans for
a 30,000-seater stadium, soccer academy, hotel, and
leisure facilities including a pool and hockey
pitches. The Pittodrie side
is due to lodge an environmental statement with the
council tomorrow as part of its application.
In a statement last
night AFC chief executive Keith Wyness said it
would be inappropriate for the club to comment on
the objections at this time. He said: "The
traffic and environmental impact assessments will
be in the public domain next week and we will be
keenly listening to and addressing the comments as
and when they arise." Mike Dunbar, deputy
chairman of the Kingswells Infrastructure First
Group, hoped the city council would listen to the
concerns of residents. He said: "The group
has been aware for some time just how strong the
weight of feeling is against the stadium proposal
across the city. "The 1,459
objections confirmed by Aberdeen City Council would
tend to confirm this feeling of opposition.
"In the spirit of
conciliation we would hope that the council will
use the opportunity to demonstrate that they are
listening to the citizens of Aberdeen, and acting
upon their instructions, by using the time which is
still available to help the club to bring forward a
new proposal which does not involve siting a
football stadium in green belt surrounded by
country lanes. "KIFG remains
hopeful that Scotland will succeed in attracting
Euro 2008 to this country." Duncan Fraser,
vice-chairman of the Aberdeen Supporters Trust,
said while the organisation appreciated the
concerns of residents, it was hoped the plans for a
public hearing would not jeopardise Aberdeen's role
in the Euro 2008 bid. He said: "We hope
that if a public hearing is to be held it will be
concluded reasonably quickly and does not affect
the Euro 2008 bid." By LEAH WILLIAMSON
10January 2002 http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/
PROPOSALS
FOR TENNIS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE: Aberdeen City Council
officials are set to study in detail proposals by a
local company to develop Westburn Tennis Centre
into a 'centre of excellence' including multi-use
leisure facilities. The approach to the
Council to develop and enhance the existing
facilities are revealed in a report to be discussed
by the Education and Leisure Committee next week
(Monday, January 14). The indicative
plans for the development include: * An additional six
indoor tennis courts. * Provision of
fitness and health facilities. * Provision of a
small swimming pool. * Provision of
outdoor artificial multi-use sports areas for
primarily tennis and football. * The
re-development of Westburn House as a sports museum
with ancillary facilities. The report to the
committee says that the existing council operated
Westburn Tennis centre has four courts and operates
at 85 per cent capacity. The evening use at the
centre is at saturation demand outpacing supply and
daytime and summer use is also high with usage at
approximately 60-80 per cent. The proposal; is
that there should be a partnership between the
council and the local company with the following
objectives: * To develop
Western Tennis Centre as a Tennis Centre for
Excellence for Aberdeen and the North-east.
* To maximise
income generation opportunities from missing
complimentary leisure activities on the
site. * To re-invest
surpluses into the development of tennis with the
city with the refurbishment of outdoor tennis
courts being a priority. * To develop a
sustainable way in which to manage future
maintenance requirements. * To link existing
facilities within the park into an overall
management plan. * To re-open and
revitalise Westburn House as part of the management
plan. The report goes on
to say: "This proposal identifies Westburn Tennis
Centre as the hub for tennis activity in the city.
The tennis development opportunities generated from
the proposal includes integrating the work of the
Tennis Development Officer with that of the centre
and also to expand the role to include the setting
up of Community Tennis Clubs across the city and
also linking more actively with tennis
clubs. "It is envisaged
that this proposal will encourage more and new
school use of the facility. It is anticipated that
local schools will utilise both the indoor tennis
courts and the outdoor facilities during summer and
winter and this would be included in the business
plan. "In addition the
Scottish Lawn Tennis Association has already
indicated their requirement for additional court
time, which can not be satisfied within the
existing facility. This would also contribute and
promote the concept of a tennis Centre of
Excellence for Aberdeen and the North-east."
The report says
that due to funding restrictions it is unlikely
that the City Council would be able to develop
facilities on its own. At the present time the
annual operation loss fluctuates between
£38,000 and £56,000. The proposal would
mean that with a new partnership there should be no
annual losses and in fact the facilities would in
the longer term generate a surplus. It is stressed that
officers need to look at the plans in detail with
an option appraisal taking place. Also the report
points out that the result of a Scottish Executive
planning inquiry into proposals for a new tennis
centre near Kingswells is expected soon and the
result will have implications for this new
proposal. (Posted 10.1.2002)
HEARING
PROPOSED FOR KINGSWELLS FOOTBALL STADIUM
PROPOSALS Aberdeen City Council's Planning
Director Peter Cockhead has recommended that a
Departure Plan Hearing be held into Aberdeen
Football Club's application to build a "regional
centre for sporting and excellence" including a
30,000 seater football stadium at
Kingswells. In
a report to the Planning Committee, which meets on
Thursday, January 17, Mr Cockhead says that the
application has led to "a substantial number of
objections and has caused a high degree of local
interest and controversy". He
adds: "Accordingly it is recommended that in these
circumstances it is appropriate to hold a hearing
in order to debate the proposed
development." This Council will receive later
this week an Environmental Statement, incorporating
an environmental impact assessment and transport
assessment of the proposal. This will be advertised
allowing the public 28 days to make
representations. A hearing will not be held until
that consultation process is completed and planning
officials have made a full assessment. Mr
Cockhead says that there have been 1,459 letters of
objection and one letter of support for the
application. The
objectors include Kingswells Community Council;
Braeside and Mannofield Community Council;
Bucksburn and Newhills Community Council;
Kingswells Infrastructure First Group; Aberdeen
Civic Society; Friends of the Earth (Aberdeen); the
Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland
and TRNASform Scotland. Mr
Cockhead says that the objections relate to:
*
Increased traffic congestion including problems on
the wider road network. *
Inadequate road network to cope with additional
traffic. *
New junction on A944 will impede the free flow of
traffic. *
During match times access for emergency vehicles to
surrounding area will be impeded. *
The Western Peripheral Route may never be
built. *
Insufficient parking will result in overspill into
Kingswells and park and ride site. *
The use of other park and ride sites by spectators
will be at the expense of other users. *
The proposal is contrary to the Council's objective
of reducing traffic. *
The development is not accessible by rail or
readily accessible by bus, cycle or on foot.
*
Noise and nuisance arising from crowds, PA systems
and light pollution. *
The impact on the landscape setting of and the
approach to the city. *
Introduction of urban development into the green
belt and the loss of farmland. *
The scale of development, particularly the size of
the stadium. *
The impact on wildlife and birds in the area and
the loss of trees and field boundaries. *
The proximity of the development to the
crematorium. *
Impact on air quality. *
Impact on drainage and sewage systems. *
The facilities will not be convenient for the
residents of Kingswells. *
It will encourage social exclusion and not
inclusion. *
Retail elements will affect viability of Kingswells
and Westhills centres. *
The proposal is contrary to the Development Plan
and National Planning Policy Guidance. *
Difficulties in policing fans in and around stadium
for concerts. *
Disturbance from possible use of stadium for
concerts. *
Problems resulting from the amount of snow in the
Kingswells area. *
There is no need for a 30,000 stadium
capacity. *
The proposed modification to the Structure Plan is
for a stadium only. *
Insufficient facilities on site, such as pubs, for
fans. *
Impact on the recreational value of the
area. *
Impact of property values. *
Kingswells has been chosen for financial reasons
only. *
An undesirable precedent for development in the
green belt. *
There is a better alternative site at Charleston
which has been identified for development, not in
the green belt, has easy access to the A90, has
potential for a rail halt and would enhance the
landscape. Mr
Cockhead says that the application is for outline
planning permission for a "regional centre of
sporting excellence" which incorporates the
football stadium, soccer academy, competition
swimming pool, sports hall, outdoor hockey pitch
plus ancillary community and commercial
developments. The
report adds that the community and commercial
developments are likely to include a golf academy
including driving range, curling facilities, indoor
bowling, 10 pin bowling, go-karting, 5-a-side
football, sports science facilities, hotel and fast
food establishments.
KINGSWELLS
COUNCILLOR DENIES CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON
PRIMARY: A
Kingswells councillor has denied conflict of
interest in his role in plans for a school
there. Councillor David
Maitland is on the building project team which has
been meeting for the past year to drive forward
proposals for the new Kingswells Primary
School. He is also a member
of Aberdeen City Council's planning committee,
which will decide whether the scheme goes ahead. At
its meeting on Monday night, Kingswells Community
Council claimed that it would be "unfortunate" if
he continued to serve on both. The comments were
prompted by a statement by Mr Maitland on the
Kingswells.com website in September. "The project team
will co-ordinate meetings to discuss the design of
our new facility," he wrote. "This consultation
process will acknowledge comments, suggestions and
complaints before moving forward to the necessary
planning procedures. Due to the fact that the new
school will be the subject of a planning
application, I cannot comment on whether I am in
favour of the new school." The community
council is calling upon Aberdeen City Council to
allow one of its members to represent the views of
Kingswells residents on the building project team.
It has already set up an action group to
co-ordinate local views. Barrie Buchan, who heads
that group, said: "After Councillor Maitland made
that statement, I just wondered whether there was a
conflict of interest." Mr Maitland
yesterday insisted no such conflict existed. As a
member of the council's planning committee, he is
barred from commenting on planning applications
before they have been discussed. He says it doesn't
matter whether he is for or against the development
since his role on the project team is to channel
the views of the people of Kingswells. He said:
"I'm on the project team as the local elected
member. I also happen to be a parent. "My role is to
represent the views of the Kingswells community in
discussions. "A lot of people
want this new school, but there have been a lot of
objections to the proposals too on the grounds of
noise, parking etc. and they all have to be taken
into account. If people have views on the new
school, I would hope that they would come to me
with them, as many people have done already, so
that I can make them heard. That is a job for the
local elected member - not a self-appointed group
like the community council." Primary one and
nursery pupils are being taught in portable
buildings some way away from the main school
building. Aberdeen City Council intends to
accommodate all pupils in two buildings on the
current school site. The project team comprises Mr
Maitland, councillor Jurgen Thomaneck, convener of
Aberdeen Council's leisure and recreation
committee, Kingswells headteacher Anne Begg and a
representative of the school board. Members of the
council's education and technical departments
advise when their expertise is needed. "It's difficult to
say when work will start on the new school," added
Mr Maitland. "The funding is in
place, but the project team has to complete its
process before a planning application can be
lodged." by MORAG LINDSAY 09
January 2002 http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/
UPMARKET
DEVELOPMENT LEFT OUT IN THE COLD: Residents in a luxury housing development were
left out in the cold during the recent blizzards
when a planning wrangle left their roads blocked by
snow. Aberdeen City
Council refused to send a snowplough or gritting
lorry to Wellside Wynd, Kingswells, because
developer Persimmon Homes had not completed the
road to a satisfactory standard. Householder Alan
Stott claimed repeated calls to Persimmon Homes
resulted in a private digger being sent out on just
two occasions. "And that was about
as much use as a chocolate kettle," he added. "No
grit or salt was put down so we were left with an
extremely slippery and dangerous road. "This is something
which people must be made aware of when they buy
houses in new developments. Ours was finished two
years ago and the roads have since failed two
inspections by the council. "We're told there
will be another one in January but, until the road
passes the council's checks, it won't be adopted as
a public road and the council won't take
responsibility for it." Kingswells
Community Council is to investigate after Mr Stott
raised his complaints at its meeting on
Monday. "It's not just a
problem for Persimmon Homes," said Mr Stott.
"Nearly all the developers in Kingswells have been
slow to complete their roads to a standard which
the council will adopt." Hugh Murdoch,
Aberdeen Council's head of roads management,
admitted the problem was often "a grey area" for
new-house buyers. "At the outset,
developers submit detailed plans of the layout and
construction of the roads and lighting," he
said. "The council then
goes round before the contractor comes off site and
checks for defects like broken kerbs and loose
manholes. It's up to the contractor to rectify them
before the council will take the road on and
maintain it as a public road. "It may take
several years before a development is completed and
the adoption of the roads will also take several
years. On many estates, you'll find the road just
runs out. We can't send gritters out and risk them
getting stuck in that situation. "If people are
experiencing problems, it's something they should
take up with their developer." Sid Fowler,
construction director for Persimmon Homes (East
Scotland) Ltd, said yesterday: "We expect all work
on the roads at our Kingswells development to be
completed by spring of this year. We hope this
resolves the issue to the satisfaction of any
concerned residents."
Council Leader, Len Ironside, said:
"With the obvious increase in traffic with people
returning to work and children returning to school
after the Christmas break, Park and Ride provides
the ideal alternative for those in Kingswells and
the Bridge of Don areas." Kingswells
Park And Ride Figures Rise Again: Park and
Ride figures from Kingswells have risen for the
second successive week, with almost 400 more
vehicles utilising the service over the past seven
days. Last week, a total of 1344 vehicles
used the Park and Ride service, and this week the
total amounted to 1722, an increase of 378.
The
figures for the past week were as follows: - Monday
- 161; Tuesday - 175; Wednesday - 185; Thursday -
214; Friday - 205; Saturday - 466; Sunday -
316. Council Leader, Len Ironside, said:
"The news of just how good a service this really is
obviously spreading and it's very welcome to hear
that numbers are steadily increasing. "Obviously part of the increase is
due to those who are undertaking their Christmas
shopping and we hope that having realised how good
the service is, these users will continue to
utilise the service into the New Year." (Posted
11.12.2001)
Scottish
Executive. The hearing due on the 21st January
has been 'sisted' for 2 months. At the end of
January 2002 the appellants (SMG) will be asked by
the SE if they wish to proceed or whether a further
period of time is required. If they are to proceed
then new dates for statements of case etc will have
to be set. Reason cited is the delays
associated with the new structure and local plans.
(Posted 28.11.2001)
FOR: "I WANT THE
DUNCAN SHEARER MOMENTS BACK AND I'LL DO WHAT I HAVE
TO TO GET THEM" LIFELONG Dons fan John Stephen
launched the AFC 2000 group after one dismal season
too many in the 1990s. Since then the tiny action group
has mushroomed into the AFC Shareholders Trust - an
800-strong organisation boasting Willie Miller and
the Lord Provost among its ranks, and a 7% stake in
the club. John is now chairman of that trust
and still takes a pride in being a thorn in the
side of the club he loves. "I'm doing this for my son," he
insisted. "I had some of my best times going to
Pittodrie as a lad in the 1970s but until this
season he's hardly seen a good game. I want the
Duncan Shearer moments back and I'll do what I have
to to get them." As
shareholders, John and fellow members are entitled
to attend AGMs and vote on crucial issues. "It's
all about giving fans a greater say," he
said. If
fans were unhappy about Aberdeen's proposed move to
Kingswells, you feel John Stephen would be leading
the opposition. Instead he gave the new stadium his
blessing this week - providing it's part of
Scotland's bid to host the European Championships
in 2008. If the bid fails, he'll urge the club to
go back to the drawing board and consult fully with
fans on ALL the options - including staying put at
Pittodrie. A
recent straw poll by the trust found 80% of members
were in favour of the Dons hosting Euro
2008. John's planning a second poll this
week to help him put together a more detailed
picture of feelings about the Kingswells
site. "We
do have concerns about the lack of consultation and
also about the site at Kingswells," he said. "But
the SFA have put a very tight timescale on things
and we appreciate that's made it difficult for the
club to consult everyone beforehand. "They have said that if Scotland
doesn't get the 2008 championships they'll come
back and consult fully with the fans. I would
certainly expect them to do so - and that includes
telling us why Pittodrie is not suitable for
redevelopment. There's still a reluctance about
moving amongst the 35-plus age group," he added.
"Pittodrie is part of the club's heritage and it
has a history for the older fans which you have to
respect." Jack Douglas is chairman of the
Association of Aberdeen Supporters Clubs, an
umbrella organisation representing 60 Dons
supporters clubs and around 6,000 fans across the
UK. "We're behind the plans," he said.
"For now everyone involved with the club needs to
have a positive approach and spend all our time and
energy on the 2008 bid. "But if the bid doesn't go ahead -
and the money we're hoping to receive from the
Scottish Executive towards a new stadium isn't
available - the club will have to take a step back
and reassess its plans." Beyond Kingswells at least, the
Dons have been applauded for their attempts to
spread the word about their proposals. The
club embarked on a series of public meetings after
announcing the stadium plans on October 25. The
roadshow has visited Pittodrie, Stonehaven, Banff,
Inverurie and Dunblane in a bid to gather rank and
file support for the move. Dons chief executive officer Keith
Wyness insists it's paying off. "Overwhelmingly people are telling
us they're in favour of the stadium and in favour
of Kingswells as a location," he said. Mr
Wyness says he understands people's concerns about
traffic but insists they've nothing to fear.
"I
don't want a stadium in a place people can't get
to," he said this week. "There's no point in us
building a new facility if the fans are going to be
stuck in traffic on the way there." The
club has commissioned independent studies on the
likely impact of the development on traffic and the
environment. The results of both should be made
public in December. Mr
Wyness said the club will then sit down with
Aberdeen City Council and the Scottish Executive to
devise a solution to potential traffic
problems. "We
will deliver a traffic management solution which
will mean the same amount, or even less, traffic on
those roads than currently exists at peak times
between Monday and Friday." Mr
Wyness is pinning his hopes on fans using the new
park and ride service at Kingswells to get to and
from the stadium. "When Southampton built their new
30,000-seater stadium, they left parking space for
just 200 cars," he said, "and the vast majority of
supporters now use park and ride." By MORAG LINDSAY: 27 November 2001
http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/
AGAINST:
"PEOPLE IN THE TOWN ARE TALKING ABOUT LITTLE ELSE
AND NONE ARE IN FAVOUR" DEREK Martin thought
he would be spending his retirement studying for a
theology degree at Aberdeen University and helping
his wife in her voluntary work as a puppy walker
for the Guide Dogs for the Blind
Association. Instead, the Kingswells grandad
fills his days galvanising opposition to Aberdeen
Football Club's plans for a new stadium close to
his Kingswells home. With neighbour Mike Dunbar, he
formed the Kingswells Infrastructure First Group
(KIFG) in June, when the football club's plans were
nothing more than speculation. Since then the pair have mounted a
high-profile campaign against the stadium proposal,
organising meetings, consulting planning experts,
liasing with protesters in other parts of the
North-east and guiding folk who wish to go about
lodging objections with the council, Scottish
Executive and Scottish Football Association.
Yesterday was the closing date for
comments on the planning application to be sent to
Aberdeen City Council but Mr Martin insists his
fight is far from over. This week he is giving
evidence to a public inquiry into plans to build on
the green belt at nearby East Middlefield and
recruiting marchers for a Boxing Day rally.
It's with a wry smile that he
admits all this opposition is being mounted from a
house built by Dons chairman Stewart Milne's
construction group. "It's never been an argument put
forward by our group," stressed Mr Martin: "But a
lot of people have objections that the value of
their houses will fall. "A
lot of people have bought Stewart Milne homes in
Kingswells and the fact that this development by
his football club may make it difficult for them to
sell those homes is very much on their
minds. "A
few years ago, Stewart Milne Homes were selling
houses here with the slogan 'City Living, Country
Life'. Now people here are saying 'city living,
what kind of a life?'" Kingswells councillor David
Maitland chaired a public meeting in Kingswells
Community Centre on November 15 which ended in
angry scenes as around 150 people found themselves
unable to squeeze into the venue. Since then, he claims the tide of
public opinion has been turning in favour of the
stadium proposals - "that's certainly the case as
far as representations to me are concerned" - and
he has accused opponents of hijacking the issue for
political purposes. Derek Martin stood against him as
Conservative Party candidate in the local
government elections in 1999. It
is a claim which Mr Martin hotly rejects: "The only
person who's making this a political issue is David
Maitland," he said. "I wouldn't stand for Aberdeen
City Council now - not because I'm frightened of Mr
Maitland but because I wouldn't want to be
associated with them. "We
formed this group in June, when there was no
community council in Kingswells, to give a voice to
the ordinary man in the street," he added.
"People in the town are talking
about little else and none of them are in favour of
the stadium. The telephone here has been red hot -
and not just with Kingswells residents."
Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber
Community Council has also lodged its objections to
the proposals. Spokesman Pat Hamilton said: "Many
of the Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber residents
are extremely worried about the traffic
implications. There is real risk of major
rat-running streams involving fans from the South
working their way through our patch to get to the
stadium. There will be accidents." By MORAG
LINDSAY: 27 November 2001 http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/
F
WHY DONS WOULD BE DOING YOU A FAVOUR WE can only
hope peace finally breaks out tonight between
Aberdeen FC and the Kingswells residents opposed to
the building of a new stadium in their
vicinity. As
I stated before, the Dons would be doing them a
favour by building state of the art sporting
facilities alongside the main 30,000 seater
development. I can't understand the objections,
given that the majority of those moaning live a
considerable distance from the proposed development
... and they would get the whole thing for
FREE. I
was interested to hear one of the Kingswells group
urge the Dons to build it at Cove or Portlethen
instead. It's all right for them but not all right
for you, is that it? And would that mean the
Kingswells folk agreeing to take the incinerator
they plan to build at Cove instead? If
the Kingswells group manage to block the building
of the development they will be robbing the whole
of the North-east, not just Aberdeen, not just Dons
fans. The building of the stadium would create many
jobs and have a positive knock on effect for all
the small businesses in Kingswells. Once built, many more permanent
posts would be created. There would also be
something in place that could be used by Kingswells
residents of all ages, particularly teenagers. What
is there for kids to do out there in the evenings
at the moment? The
proposed development isn't suddenly going to make
Kingswells a horrible place. It will actually
enhance the area, put it on the map, make the name
Kingswells as well known as Pittodrie became in the
previous 100 years. The
old stadium served its local community well... you
can be sure the owners of places like the Pittodrie
Bar and golf clubs at the Links would be as happy
as some of those folk at Kingswells to see the Dons
stay where they are. But their loss will be someone
else's gain and the people at Kingswells have been
handed the first chance to take advantage of that.
Please don't look the gift horse in the
mouth. JOKE of the week was a national
newspaper's attempt to compare Hicham Zerouali's
handball to Maradona's "Hand of God." Have you ever seen such a pathetic
effort at trying to take the shine off yet another
good win for Aberdeen? It's clear the Dons doing well
again gets up south-western noses. Ebbe Skovdahl's men are far from
world beaters yet but the recent home run is a big
stride in the right direction. 15 November
2001 Comments from PandJ http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/
No
Second Meeting For Kingswells: Aberdeen Football
Club has declined a new invitation to attend a
public meeting in Kingswells to address concerns
from local people regarding the Club's proposed
stadium development. Newhills Councillor David Maitland
today invited AFC representatives to a second
public meeting in Kingswells Community Centre after
people were turned away from an over-capacity
meeting on Thursday evening. Speaking today, Councillor Maitland
said: "Despite repeated appeals from myself that
last night's meeting was for local people, a large
number of people from outside the Kingswells area
attended along with opposition politicians. This
resulted in a shortage of space at the meeting
venue and local people being turned away.
"An
invitation from myself to AFC to attend a second
meeting to afford all local residents the
opportunity to discuss the proposed stadium
development has been declined. However, I
understand that the Club is holding a public
meeting in Inverurie Town Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday
evening as part of a series of road shows and that
Kingswells' residents who were turned away from the
meeting on Thursday night will be welcome to attend
that meeting. "There will also be further
opportunities for local people to comment on this
matter as the statutory planning and public
consultation process develops." (Aberdeen City
Council, Posted 16.11.2001)
DONS OFFER
ALTERNATIVE VENUE FOR KINGSWELLS RESIDENTS:
Aberdeen Football Club has urged
Kingswells residents who missed last night's public
meeting in the village to attend Tuesday's Roadshow
at Inverurie Town Hall.
hat
Alexandra Humphries, who lives at
Upper Fifeshill on the far side of the Kingswells
to Cults road, said badgers had been spotted
recently.
Picture
from scottish-badgers.com
Master Plan
COUNCIL RECEIVES 1,459 LETTERS OF
OBJECTION
(Posted 7.1.2002)
If you can
provide assistance or information with any of the
above please contact me at: info@kingswells.com A credit will be given to
anyone submitting articles and photos used on web
site. Claire Burt Web mistress
 Try the NEW LOOK Bulletin Board Please read the guidelines before you use this service. |
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Kingswells Residents protested peacefully 28.11.2001 |
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Inquiry Into Kingswells Sports Scheme To Get Underway: 24.11.2001 |
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Kingswells Protest Wins Support Of Westhill: 23.11.2001 |
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Countdown to beat gridlock as £7.3m plan nears start:24.7.2001 |
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Public Inquiry To Be Held Into Plans For £12 Million Sports And Leisure Centre: 23.7.2001 |
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Executive calls public inquiry over leisure project. 16.7.2001 |
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