Latest news with #ScottHerrett
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Aberdeen park could be leased for 150 years to energy firm
The Herald understands that the Aberdeen City Council vote, which was taken behind closed doors at the Town House on Wednesday, instructs officers to form a joint company consisting of the local authority and ETZ Ltd, a renewable energy agency that wants to redevelop much of the site. The new company's board will reportedly consist of officers from Aberdeen City Council and several ETZ Ltd directors. It is understood that the council will have the option to lease the land to the new company for up to 150 years. Part of St Fittick's Park could be turned into a renewable energy campus. Despite criticism from campaigners and opposition councillors, the decision was taken in secret over fears of prejudicing the council's negotiation processes. A statement on the local authority's website reads: 'Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services provided disclosure of these terms would prejudice the council in these or any other negotiations.' Campaigners have battled leading business figures and the local authority over redevelopment plans, citing the park's importance to the community's physical and mental health. They have also lodged criticism over the council's democratic processes, as plans for the redevelopment have ploughed ahead despite community opposition. A legal challenge alleging the local authority failed to meet its duties under the Equality Act 2010 was defeated in the Court of Session in May, leading to the submission of two planning applications to alter the site. Planning permission in principle to build on the land had been granted in January 2025. ETZ Ltd, a not for profit company chaired by billionaire industrialist Ian Wood, was set up in 2021 and has promised to create 2,500 local jobs and £400m in economic growth. Billionaire energy tycoon Sir Ian Wood. (Image: NQ) Reacting to the news, Scott Herrett of the Friends of St Fittick's Park told The Herald: 'Democracy in Aberdeen is currently broken. Councillors and their officers have shown contempt for people in Torry by prioritising the pockets of corporate executives than the people who elected them. 'Instead they need to reject ETZ Ltd's delusional plans for St Fittick's Park, pay the RAAC homeowners what they demand and start repairing trust among people in communities right across Aberdeen. 'If not, then democracy will eventually return and I'm sure many will be booted out without a job.' Read more: 'An uphill battle': The Stirling Uni student who fought her way to graduation Scottish Water spend on sewage spills revealed amidst 'fat cat' bonus criticism Dundee University roiled as interim finance chief quits after eight days in job People living in Torry, which already hosts an incinerator and waste treatment facility, have long spoken out against the proposed development for years. To add insult to injury, more than 500 properties in the neighbourhood of Balgnaask, which borders the park, have been found to contain reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (RAAC), a brittle building material which has been deemed unsafe for habitation. Dr Adrian Crofton, clinical lead at the area's medical practice, told The Herald in February that the park's redevelopment would negatively affect the health of residents, whose average life expectancy is 12 years lower than those living in Aberdeen's affluent suburbs. Crofton said: 'The area adjacent to that park has the poorest health outcomes in the North of Scotland. The people here suffer from poor relative health to everyone else. 'The local schools are saying that children have a loss of sense of identity, and place and belonging. It's hard to measure in numbers but the impact is real.' Medical professionals say the loss of a portion of the park could prove deadly. (Image: NQ Archive) An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson declined to comment. They noted: 'We are unable to make a comment on Exempt Business considered at the Council meeting. We will be publishing the minute of the Council meeting in due course and our priority thereafter will be to directly communicate with our communities.' A spokesperson for ETZ Ltd also declined to comment. However, the group has previously said it is committed to restoring wetlands in the portion of the park that will not be used by renewable energy companies, building recreational amenities and walking paths, and improving biodiversity and accessibility.
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Aberdeen park could be leased for 150 years in council vote
The Herald understands that the Aberdeen City Council vote, which was taken behind closed doors at the Town House on Wednesday, instructs officers to form a joint company consisting of the local authority and ETZ Ltd, a renewable energy agency that wants to redevelop much of the site. The new company's board will reportedly consist of officers from Aberdeen City Council and several ETZ Ltd directors. It is understood that the council will have the option to lease the land to the new company for up to 150 years. Part of St Fittick's Park could be turned into a renewable energy campus. Despite criticism from campaigners and opposition councillors, the decision was taken in secret over fears of prejudicing the council's negotiation processes. A statement on the local authority's website reads: 'Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services provided disclosure of these terms would prejudice the Council in these or any other negotiations.' Campaigners have battled leading business figures and the local authority over redevelopment plans, citing the park's importance to the community's physical and mental health. They have also lodged criticism over the council's democratic processes, as plans for the redevelopment have plowed ahead despite community opposition. A legal challenge alleging the local authority failed to meet its duties under the Equality Act 2010 was defeated in the Court of Session in May, leading to the submission of two planning applications to alter the site. Planning permission in principle to build on the land had been granted in January 2025. ETZ Ltd, a not for profit company chaired by billionaire industrialist Ian Wood, was set up in 2021 and has promised to create 2,500 local jobs and £400m in economic growth. Billionaire energy tycoon Sir Ian Wood. (Image: NQ) Reacting to the news, Scott Herrett of the Friends of St Fittick's Park told The Herald: 'Democracy in Aberdeen is currently broken. In making shady backroom deals with Ian Woods ETZ Ltd, SNP and Lib Dem councillors and their officers have shown contempt for people in Torry by prioritising the pockets of rich corporate executives than the people who elected them. 'Instead they need to reject ETZ Ltd's delusional plans for St Fittick's Park, pay the RAAC homeowners what they demand and start repairing trust among people in communities right across Aberdeen. 'If not, then democracy will eventually return and I'm sure many will be booted out without a job.' Read more: 'An uphill battle': The Stirling Uni student who fought her way to graduation Scottish Water spend on sewage spills revealed amidst 'fat cat' bonus criticism Dundee University roiled as interim finance chief quits after eight days in job People living in Torry, which already hosts an incinerator and waste treatment facility, have long spoken out against the proposed development for years. To add insult to injury, more than 500 properties in the neighborhood of Balgnaask, which borders the park, have been found to contain reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (RAAC), a brittle building material which has been deemed unsafe for habitation. Dr Adrian Crofton, clinical lead at the area's medical practice, told The Herald in February that the park's redevelopment would negatively affect the health of residents, whose average life expectancy is 12 years lower than those living in Aberdeen's affluent suburbs. Crofton said: 'The area adjacent to that park has the poorest health outcomes in the North of Scotland. The people here suffer from poor relative health to everyone else. 'The local schools are saying that children have a loss of sense of identity, and place and belonging. It's hard to measure in numbers but the impact is real.' Medical professionals say the loss of a portion of the park could prove deadly. (Image: NQ Archive) An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson declined to comment. They noted: 'We are unable to make a comment on Exempt Business considered at the Council meeting. We will be publishing the minute of the Council meeting in due course and our priority thereafter will be to directly communicate with our communities.' A spokesperson for ETZ Ltd also declined to comment. However, the group has previously said it is committed to restoring wetlands in the portion of the park that will not be used by renewable energy companies, building recreational amenities and walking paths, and improving biodiversity and accessibility.
The Herald Scotland
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Aberdeen park faces bulldozers as planning documents lodged
However, after a legal challenge was defeated in the Court of Session, two planning applications to alter the site have been submitted to Aberdeen City Council. At an emergency community meeting on Monday evening, campaigners spoke about the importance of the park and discussed ways to combat the planning applications. Campaigners Scott Herrett, Ishbel Shand, and Richard Caie (L-R). (Image: Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco) Campaigner and local resident Scott Herrett told attendees: 'It's important to remind ourselves the planning process is not the only way in which to protect the park. "The council still has to vote to lease the land to ETZ Ltd before anything can happen. If these applications pass, then it's likely this might happen later this year.' Energy company ETZ Ltd, which is backed by oil and gas tycoon Sir Ian Wood, has long expressed a desire to turn part of the park into office space. The group says the 'opportunity zone' will benefit the renewable energy sector and Aberdeen's economy. However, campaigners have hotly contested these remarks. "I love the park, this is pure vandalism of a much enjoyed space filled with nature. It's completely disrespectful of local residents. Coupled with that, there seems no prospect that industry will come or jobs be created," said Chris Aldred, a Torry resident and member of Friends of St. Fittick's Park. Ishbel Shand, a long-time member of the group, told The Herald: "The proposed transfer of St Fittick's from the public to the private sector has nothing to do with creating jobs or combatting climate change. The Port of Aberdeen built a harbour in a pristine bay and they want the land for supporting infrastructure - offices, refuelling tanks and so forth. Shand added: 'I suspect the plan is to trash the park and when no-one shows any interest in using the sites for renewable projects argue that they might as well use it for port infrastructure since it has been trashed. 'That's what it did with the 'temporary construction site' on the park despite a legal requirement to reinstate it and return it to public ownership.' St Fitttick's Park viewed from the air. The council has previously signed off on a masterplan for the area and planning permission in principle. Now, they will be asked to make a more detailed decision. According to the ETZ's masterplan, a third of the park will be converted into 'high-value energy transition activity' with quayside access to the nearby Aberdeen South Harbour. A statement on their website reads: 'By partnering with the community, industry and investors, and harnessing world-class experience and know-how, the 40 hectare Energy Transition Zone will help the UK and Scotland reach Net Zero targets and will deliver sustainable economic and job security for our region and our people.' Read more from Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco: Calls to bring back this 'unique' detail in this popular Glasgow shopping centre Tory anger over 'woeful' LEZ retrofit scheme as Aberdeen businesses flounder How much has new trains procurement cost taxpayers? Scot Gov refuses to say Glasgow Film Theatre praised by pro-Israel lobby group over BDS vote The issue has been a political football for years. The Labour and Conservative-led council administration voted to allow the site to be rezoned in 2020, over the objections of the SNP and Liberal Democrats. However, now in opposition, Labour says the park must be preserved, while the SNP-Lib Dem partnership has voted to progress the planning process. An Aberdeen Labour spokesperson said: 'We support the principles of the ETZ as the ETZ will support and create well paid jobs which is vital to the UK and Scottish economy. What we do not support is the vandalism of St Fittick's Park in Torry as we believe there is a suitable alternative to using this much loved park.' 'Our other concern is that the Council has not yet agreed to lease the park to any individual or organisation yet we are seeing a planning application from ETZ Ltd. Officers of the Council have not yet reported back to Council on what is happening with St Fittick's Park despite an instruction to do so back in September 2023. 'There is a huge worry within the community of Torry that Aberdeen City Council are working hand in glove with ETZ Ltd who are not the land owners of St Fitticks Park.' When asked for comment, an Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said the local authority did not comment on live planning applications. A decision on the matter is expected to be taken over the summer.
