Bus giant's HQ plans turned down

First wanted to build a new global HQ

Transport giant First has had its application to build a new £10m global headquarters in Aberdeen turned down by city councillors.

Planning committee members voted nine to four against the proposals despite them being recommended for approval by council officials.

People in the Woodside area have been fighting plans for a new depot for 400 bus drivers and office accommodation.

The issue has now been referred to a meeting of the full council next week.

'Rigorously assessed'

FirstGroup has applied for a six-hectare site which would be build on green belt land currently used for football pitches.

Jayne Maclennan, director of property and estates at FirstGroup, said the company was "disappointed" at the decision.

She said: "We acknowledge that this is a very sensitive planning application.

"The application has been one of the most rigorously assessed of any application FirstGroup have been involved in.

"Every element of the traffic, noise, air quality and design proposals have been thoroughly scrutinised by the director of planning and the various consultees."

Ms Mclennan said she hoped the full council would "approve the application in the wider interests of both the city of Aberdeen and the Scottish economy".