Works to get under way on city beachfront plan

Plans for a futuristic playpark, events space and amphitheatre at Aberdeen Beach have been sealed – despite unrest about the traffic changes they will bring.

The proposals are part of a multi-million-pound masterplan to rejuvenate the seafront.

It’s a mammoth scheme that will be rolled out over many years.

And now a trio of projects, which together comprise the first phase of the major project and cost £48 million, have all been given the stamp of approval.

That means that some work has now been cleared to get under way within months.

Local authority planning chiefs have paved the way for work to start on:

● A new canopy, amphitheatre and car park next to the Beach Ballroom;

● Extra disabled parking spaces;

● A gateway and hub buildings, along with a “rope factory” playground.

The new amphitheatre will be created on the “undeveloped” grassy area just off Links Road and the Esplanade.

There is currently a playpark there, along with mothballed public toilets.

It comes after The Press and Journal revealed that police had concerns about youths turning the new playground into something of a hooligan hotspot.

Officers warned that the 10ft-high structures could prove tempting to thrillseeking troublemakers.

And in coming to their decision, planning chiefs say project leaders should liaise with police to “design out crime”.

However, no specific mention is made of how to stop youngsters clambering on to the canopy when it is built.

The new events park will be able to host large-scale outdoor concerts, festivals and other events.

Walkways and cycling lanes will also be upgraded to form a “pedestrian spine” between the different zones.

Eye-catching images of the “rope factory” play area caught the imagination of Aberdonians when they were unveiled this summer.

It will boast four separate elements, each linked by a bridge.

The impressive tower would contain nine floors, with “rubberised play flooring”, and stainless steel chutes wrapping around it and will reach almost 80ft tall when fully installed.

Rubber-stamping the project, planning chiefs said it would rejuvenate the unused green space which currently has “relatively low use”.

The vision for the area was signed off by councillors in September, but still needed to make its way through the formal planning process.

Since they were lodged, flooding, roads and disability experts have all had their say – along with members of the public.

However, some local residents voiced concerns about what the plans could mean for traffic flow in the busy area.

It is understood the eastern stretch of the Beach Boulevard, between Links Road and the Esplanade, is set to close in the months ahead as work gets under way.

The permanent future of the route from the city centre, through the Justice Street roundabout and down the Boulevard to the seafront will be decided in 2024.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen FC fans are growing more optimistic that a replacement for Pittodrie could ultimately feature in the beach masterplan.

Last week, we exclusively revealed that Dons bosses had met with Aberdeen City Council’s co-leaders about a possible stadium at the beach.

FUTURISTIC: A digital image of how the new beach development could look in the evening, with an impressive tower containing nine floors.

The canopy would feature a lobby, WCs and meeting hub.

There are some big changes in store for local roadways.