9 September 2010
Loirston Loch stadium relocation bad for sustainable transport
Transform Scotland has submitted to Aberdeen City Council its objection to Aberdeen Football Club plc's proposal to move its stadium from the City Centre site at Pittodrie to an out-of-town site at Loirston Loch, Nigg.
Colin Howden, Director of Transform Scotland, said:
"The proposed location is terrible for sustainable transport. It has no rail access, no bus links, and its distance from the city will effectively deter access by bike or on foot. As such, the location runs counter to the Scottish Government's Scottish Planning Policy, which is intended to prevent such locations being pursued.
"However, given that Aberdeen City Council seem hellbent on destroying the green belt round the city through road-building and consenting out-of-town developments, we are not confident that our objection will be treated fairly by the Council. Given that the Council has already spent public funds on assisting Aberdeen Football Club pursue a relocation of its ground away from the Pittodrie site, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect that its decision-making will be biased in favour of giving consent to AFC plc."