FAQs

Why do we need Park Village?: The Draft Aberdeen City and Shire Structure plan has identified a requirement for 72,000 houses over the next 30 years in the Structure plan area. To meet this proposed growth a range of development options will need to be considered. Whilst some new development will be located within existing towns and villages, pressure on existing infrastructure and facilities is likely to arise as a potential constraint in some areas leading to a need for greenfield land. Park Village is an opportunity to utilise a previously developed site. CHAP Homes sees the need for a new village in this area that is not only attractive but that works now and in the future and addresses the increasingly crucial environmental issues.
The Social Enterprise Trust will ensure that peoples values, social ethics and environmental concerns are given due consideration and high standards can be maintained in perpetuity.
Why is Park Village different from other developments in the area?: Park will be a sustainable village. Recent developments have tended to ‘tack on’ to the edges of existing settlements or ‘fill gaps of land’ in existing settlements – in these cases there is not enough forethought regarding infrastructure or public amenities. Designing a village from scratch means the village will work. Community resources and services will be provided in areas that make sense for easy access that will cut vehicular movement thereby providing a better quality of life.
Park Village will be built on a brownfield site thereby not claiming any of our precious greenbelt and will allow the sustainable issues to be fully embraced to deliver a truly innovative modern place to live.
Who is Park Village for?: The simple answer to this is that Park Village is for everyone. A wide spectrum of homes will be delivered. People will be able to choose from waterside detached homes close to fishing and walks or ‘Main Street’ townhouses very close to amenities with lots of different choices in between. Homes within the village will cater for generations including retirement homes, care facilities, family housing, first time buyers, townhouses, and flatted accommodations. A minimum of 25% of the development will be identified as affordable housing – providing opportunities for rent or shared ownership.
Future residents of Park Village have an opportunity to be involved in the future design of the village through consultation engagement and with an ongoing role in the management of the village through the Social Enterprise Trust.
Why would I want to live in Park Village?: It is envisaged that Park Village will provide a better way to live. The building designs will be aesthetically pleasing but will also incorporate renewable energy systems and environmentally friendly solutions that will ensure running costs (when rising energy costs are an issue) will be kept to a minimum. It will also mean that in an increasingly challenging environmental atmosphere, residents will know that they are not wasting the planet’s resources utilising such measures as rainwater harvesting, home composting, workable recycling and so on. The village will be designed in such a way that vehicular transport is kept to a minimum in public areas so fuel emission pollution will be limited and public areas will be safer. The beauty of the surrounding area will mean that the development will represent a haven from the hustle and bustle of normal city life.
The Social Enterprise trust will ensure that social ethics and environmental responsibility are given centre stage at all times thereby ensuring a higher standard of living and making it a place people will aspire to live.
What sort of timescale is the development likely to follow?: CHAP would like to see the development starting in 2011 and phased over a period of up to 10 years. This will however be subject to planning time schedules
Will there be reasonable public transport links to the village?: The position of the proposed development is one of the key issues. It is not only in relatively close proximity to the City of Aberdeen but is also very close to the proposed Western Peripheral Route. Discussions with bus operators have established that extending bus routes will be possible, integrating with existing services. A dedicated cycle/pedestrian route already exists from Park Village to the City centre along the old Deeside Railway line. It will be perfectly feasible to cycle to work in the centre of Aberdeen.
Will there be traffic management in place to make this a safe place for children?: The overall village design will be intended to put ‘people first’ and not vehicles, this in itself will ensure a safer environment for children. Where vehicular access is necessary, traffic calming will be ‘designed in’.
Is Park Bridge of a suitable size/structure to service a development of this size?: Park Bridge is a B listed bridge and has a weight restriction. There will be a full traffic impact assessment carried out - taking into account changes in traffic movement necessitated by the construction of the AWPR. The assessment will include an investigation into the viability of a new bridge at initial development stages and at later stages
Is there any likelihood that global warming and subsequent rising water levels might lead to flooding in this area?: The site is set some 5 to 7 metres above river level and is therefore clear of the functional floodplain. CHAP will produce full flood risk assessment and will address all forms of flood risk including rising water levels.
Will there be a detrimental effect on the flora and fauna in the area?: The site is currently a brownfield site and as such there is very little flora and fauna on the site that could be affected. CHAP will carry out full environmental assessments prior to commencement to ensure that any existing wildlife is protected.
Will primary and secondary schools be provided?: There is the intention to provide a new primary school to serve the community. There is a need for additional secondary school provision in the area and Chap believes Park Village would be a good location.
Will most people be able to afford these homes?: It is envisaged that these homes will cover the full spectrum of purchase prices. It is also anticipated that some properties would be available for lease.
What type of retail facilities could be included in the village?: CHAP Homes is looking for the views of existing local residents and potential residents to determine the outlets desired. Current options include a garden centre, country store and clothing outlet. Other proposed amenities include the provision of a library, veterinary surgery, doctor’s surgery, a community hall and play park.
How has the concept of involving the local community in the design consultation process been received so far?: Extremely well – the majority of existing local residents who would be neighbours of the site, have said they would wish to be involved.
Have people been interested in the fact the proposed development would utilize renewable energy technology?: CHAP Homes has received an overwhelmingly positive response to our plans to use renewable energy technology within the site. The Robert Gordon University’s Centre for Research in Energy and the Environment is one of CHAP Homes’ partners in the development and is currently monitoring the site to assess the features which can be used to generate renewable energy.
Has there been a positive response from local people who may be interested in renting business accommodation within the village?: There has – the majority of respondents to the CHAP Homes questionnaire about Park Village has indicated that they would be interested in securing accommodation to run a retail business from the site. Other parties have expressed an interest in running an office, while a number of respondents said they would consider running a storage, industrial or workshop business from the site.
What disruption can residents expect during the construction process, should the development go ahead?: The site is an operating quarry with associated disruption and the traffic required during the construction of the village would have a similar impact. The initial phase would take 2-3 years.
What are the estimated costs of the project?: The total project would require an investment of £300-400 million
What type of people will Park Village attract – is there a danger of a stereotype?: The house type and tenure type will be quite wide ranging we envisage a diverse mix of types of people to be attracted to the village
Will the development eventually be called Park Village?: The name Park Village is currently being used for consultation and marketing purposes. The actual village name would be at the Local Authorities discretion although they may consider suggestions from CHAP – if members of the public would like to suggest possible names CHAP would be happy to put them forward to the Council for consideration. Public opinion is often taken into consideration when choosing place names.
If the development does not go ahead what would happen to the Quarry?: The current planning approval to extract minerals is conditioned on completion of the quarrying activities to be reinstated to agricultural land and fishing ponds. Only if the Park Village proposal is approved will that condition be superceded.