Bus HQ project given green light

First has been told it can proceed with its £10m HQ plan

The transport group First has been given the go-ahead for controversial plans to build a £10m global headquarters in Aberdeen.

People in the Woodside area had opposed the plans for office accommodation and a new depot for 400 drivers.

Planning committee members voted against the proposal last week, amid environmental concerns.

However, on Wednesday evening the full council voted by 25 votes to 15 in favour of the project.

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

George Mair, managing director of First in Aberdeen, said it was pleased the project had been approved.

"We are pleased the council has approved our planning application. There's still some work to be done and it now has to go forward to the Scottish Executive," he said.

The proposed site at Woodside sparked local objections

"We're happy things have gone well today and we'll continue to work with the council to ensure that we deliver a good quality product and HQ to the city of Aberdeen."

Objector Susan Hilditch said she was "bitterly disappointed" at the decision.

She said having the development on a greenfield site would have environmental implications and also affect the quality of life of nearby residents.

"It would also have a detrimental impact on traffic at the Haudagain roundabout," she added.

Scottish Socialist Party leader Colin Fox had urged councillors to reject the development.