Removal of Union Terrace Gardens granite steps referred to police

The redevelopment of Union Terrace Gardens began in 2019

The removal of granite steps from historic Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen has been referred to police by the city council.

The gardens originally opened in 1879 and have been undergoing a £28m redevelopment since 2019.

Images emerged of slabs piled in a residential garden, and it was later confirmed they were from UTG.

An Aberdeen businessman confirmed the steps were in his garden, but said he had not known where they were from.

Mike Wilson stressed that he denies asking for the granite to be delivered to his property, and was not in any way paid to store it there.

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He said: "I have no prior knowledge of it. They are not my blocks and I have no use for them. It's of no interest to me.

"I just came back one Friday night and they were there in the front garden, now half of them have gone.

"50% of them remain and 50% of them have gone, I'm not to know where they came from.

"If anyone wants to phone me up and talk to me about it I'm happy, I've nothing to hide."

The Aberdeen Evening Express quoted a sub-contractor who said he stored the steps on a piece of rough land at Mr Wilson's property because he had no room at his yard.

Apology issued

Balfour Beatty said in a statement: "We are currently in discussions with one of our sub-contractors to understand the reason for the materials being stored at an unapproved location.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience or concern caused and can confirm that the granite will be relocated to a secure and appropriate site as soon as possible.

"In the meantime, we continue to assist Police Scotland and Aberdeen City Council with their investigations."

Aberdeen City Council said the matter had been referred to Police Scotland for consideration.

An internal investigation, including an audit into all granite from Union Terrace Gardens, is under way.

Police Scotland said: "Officers are carrying out inquiries following contact from Aberdeen City Council regarding the removal of granite from a site on Union Terrace."

Planning permission for the work stipulated that original granite from the site had to be reused there.

The council met contractors on Wednesday to discuss the situation.

Earlier, SNP group leader Alex Nicoll had called for a police investigation.

Mr Nicoll said: "In my view, the correct people to investigate whether or not anything untoward has taken place is Police Scotland.

"At this point in time, we don't have all the facts to hand. What we do know is very substantial pieces of property have moved outwith our control. And I think we need to get to the bottom of how did this happen, who did what and has anything criminal taken place."

The council said that a review would be carried out to consider "whether any breach of contract had occurred on behalf of any responsible party".