Bid to block Aberdeen park conversion fails

Campaigners say St Fittick's Park is the last green space in Torry

A legal bid to stop Aberdeen City Council (ACC) using part of a park to develop an Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) has been rejected.

An appeal was lodged with the Court of Session in an attempt to protect St Fittick's Park in Torry - close to Aberdeen's new South Harbour - from any future development.

Campaigners had warned that it was the last green space in the area and said closing it would add to rising levels of pollution.

A petition was rejected last year, and now an appeal has also been turned down.

The scheme is seen by its supporters as a means of helping to diversify the economy in the area.

Opponents argued the local authority failed to carry out an equality assessment aimed at finding out the impact the move would have on groups such as the young, elderly and disabled.

However, the court found not every decision by a public body required such an assessment.

An ETZ Ltd statement said it was committed to working with the local community to enhance green spaces near the site.

"This will include significant improvements to St Fittick's Park, Tullos woods and the coastal path corridor as part of the project's wider regeneration ambitions," it added.

It said that the plans would use about a third of the park overall.

In response to the judgement, ACC said it noted the decision which had been taken by the Court of Session.