Bus HQ objectors take to streets

Protesters took to the streets to gain support

Protesters against First Group's plans to move its main bus depot to a new location in Aberdeen have taken to the streets to step up their campaign.

They are also threatening to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman about the decision to site the depot near a notorious traffic bottleneck.

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

The objectors fear more traffic congestion at the Haudagain roundabout.

They have called for a public inquiry.

First Group has plans for a £10m headquarters on a six-hectare site which would be built on green belt land currently used for football pitches.

The impact is going to be disastrous Susan Hidditch Hutcheon Low Action Group

Planning committee members voted against the proposal but the full council voted by 25 votes to 15 in favour of the project.

Opponent, councillor George Adam, said: "I was surprised at seeing the way that the issue was handled in some respects.

"About how the council officers gave very much the pro-side, the sales pitch, for First Group at the start of the meeting.

"The objectors weren't allowed to give the opposition view."

Wildlife fears

He added that the only way experts could have their voices heard was if the matter was examined by the Scottish Executive.

Protesters from the Hutcheon Low Action Group have now written to the council protesting at the way the decision was reached.

Spokeswoman Susan Hidditch said: "Should we not receive a reply we will advise the ombudsman about the number of councillors who declared an interest at the council meeting and did not feel it necessary to withdraw from the vote.

I would have no concern that the Ombudsman would find anything amiss Crawford Langley Aberdeen City Council

"We also feel that a letter from the owners of the ground being presented at full council was tantamount to blackmail.

"The impact is going to be disastrous to the wildlife, the quality of life of residents and also the loss of sporting facilities, not to mention the infringement of our human rights.

"We are not giving up. We've been fighting for over a year on this matter and we'll continue to fight to the bitter end until this application is thrown out."

She added: "We really hope the executive will call this in for a full public inquiry."

A senior council official has defended its decision.

Director of the local authority's Legal and Democratic Services, Crawford Langley, said: "I would have no concern that the Ombudsman would find anything amiss.

"This was a complicated application. At the end of the day the council has a responsibility to balance all the interest and that is what the council did."