Author: jcleary

Delivery of the first phase of Grandhome has taken a further step forward this month following Aberdeen City Council’s approval of Planning and Road Construction Consent applications for infrastructure that will serve the new community’s first neighbourhood, Laverock Braes.

This initial element of work includes underground services, landscaping, a new access point to the site and Grandhome’s first streets which forthcoming residential and commercial development will plug into. The design and layout of Grandhome’s streets have been influenced by the Scottish Government’s progressive policy document Designing Streets. This document promotes high quality street design and place-making oriented around safe streets for cyclists and pedestrians within a network of connected and walkable neighbourhoods. Grandhome is the first of the Aberdeen City’s large scale developments that will be delivered entirely in accordance with the principles set out in this guidance and underpins the status of the new community as part of the Scottish Government’s Sustainable Scottish Community Initiative.

Chairman of the Grandhome Trust, Bruce Smith said, “This is a significant milestone for Grandhome and it is satisfying to see that our place-making principles have now been embodied in detailed plans and endorsed by the City. We are looking forward to seeing these plans realised this year as our first neighbourhood, Laverock Braes takes shape.”

Construction of the first phase of infrastructure is anticipated to start in Spring 2016 with further planning applications for residential development due to follow later in the year. An announcement in respect of the infrastructure contractor to be awarded the project is to be made imminently.

A planning application has been lodged for the infrastructure that will support the creation of the first neighbourhood within the new community of Grandhome on the north-west edge of Aberdeen.

The application to Aberdeen City Council seeks permission to construct the key roads, utilities, strategic drainage and landscaping that will provide the framework for the building of the first 650 homes, in a neighbourhood to be known as Laverock Braes.

Laverock Braes will be a mixed-use neighbourhood, containing shops and business space for local people as well as a public square and a multi-purpose community hall. Davidston Square is designed to be the focal point for the local community and will provide high quality public space to frame Davidston Hall, which has been designed by award-winning Edinburgh-based practice Reiach and Hall Architects.

The initial street plan conforms to the strategic masterplan for Grandhome forming the link between the wider Bridge of Don community and what will become the High Street for Grandhome.

The street plan is designed to prioritise walking throughout the community with connected streets, shared spaces and speed control measures for vehicles. In addition to linking the different neighbourhoods within Grandhome, the pedestrian footways and roads will connect with the wider Aberdeen Core Path network allowing the wider community to enjoy the seven hectares of open space and parkland that will be delivered in support of the first phase.

An application for Roads Construction Consent (RCC) for the initial streets that will form part of Laverock Braes has already been submitted to the Council for determination in conjunction the latest application. This includes a new access off Whitestripes Road with facilities for safe pedestrian crossing.

Subject to receiving the necessary consents from the Council, infrastructure works will get underway on site in August this year.

In March, The Grandhome Trust announced that three housebuilders – Bancon Homes, Cala Homes and Dandara – had been selected to deliver Laverock Braes, which will be built over the next four years. The homes for the first neighbourhood will be subject to a separate planning application later this year.

Bruce Smith, a Trustee of The Grandhome Trust, said: “The proposals for Laverock Braes are in accordance with the broader design objectives for Grandhome and underline our absolute commitment to maintaining quality from design through to delivery.

“In contrast to one size-fits-all developments where all the streets feel the same, Grandhome incorporates a different range of paths, lanes, minor streets, main streets and high streets that would normally only be found in a more traditional community that has evolved over time. This approach helps to create a stronger sense of place.

“It is this attention to detail from the outset, drawing on the collective experience of an award-winning design team, that will ensure that we meet our aim of creating a new community that sets new standards for urban development in Scotland and, as an outstanding environment in which to live and work, contributes to the long term prosperity of the city and surrounding region,” said Mr Smith.

Grandhome occupies a 320 hectare site located six kilometres north-west of Aberdeen city centre. With long-term potential for 7,000 homes, the community is being planned and developed by The Grandhome Trust, a family-led entity that has held the land for more than 400 years. The Trust has a vision to create a community of exemplary quality in terms of its built environment, sense of place, civic amenities and quality of life.

Grandhome was granted planning permission in principle by Aberdeen City Council in February 2015 for 4,700 homes, a new town centre, business district and community facilities including extensive public spaces. The new community will provide an environment of unique type and quality as well as helping to provide jobs, services and homes that will benefit the wider community and economy in Aberdeen and the surrounding region.

The creation of Grandhome will bring significant economic activity to the city with an investment of almost £1 billion in homes and infrastructure over the next 40 years.  It is forecast to support almost 600 construction jobs annually and the first five phases of development, equivalent to 4,700 homes of which 1,175 will be affordable homes, will accommodate around 11,500 residents with annual household expenditure totalling £110 million.

The Grandhome Trust is to hold a public exhibition presenting the latest plans for the first neighbourhood that will make up part of the new mixed-use community at Grandhome, Bridge of Don.

In spring 2014, Aberdeen City Council resolved to grant planning permission in principle for the new mixed-use community which will deliver 4,700 homes as well as a new town centre, business district and community facilities plus all the necessary landscaping and associated infrastructure. In 2015, we will be bringing forward planning applications for the first neighbourhood, including its supporting infrastructure.

An exhibition to share this work with the public will be held on the 10th and 11th February 2015 (3.30pm-7.30pm) at the Mains of Scotstown, Jesmond Square, Bridge of Don, AB22 8ET.

Members of the team will be on hand to answer any questions.

Copies of the exhibition boards can be downloaded here.