Aberdeen Retirement Homes Get a Boost in Planning

In south east of Aberdeen, plans for a new specialist retirement development are set to become a reality after receiving planning permission from Aberdeen City Council.

Specialist retirement developer, McCarthy & Stone, is to redevelop the 1.2 acre site of the former Conference Centre of the Hilton Treetops Hotel in Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen into 44 quality retirement apartments for the elderly.

The new homes will provide a boost to housing options in the local area providing much needed accommodation for people of retirement age and helping free up family housing that older people no longer require.

The contemporary development will rejuvenate the site of the currently vacant building, complementing the surrounding residential area. Alongside attractive landscaped gardens surrounding the building, there will be a communal roof terrace and sun room for residents and visitors.

Stephen Wiseman, Managing Director of McCarthy & Stone in Scotland, explains: "Once complete, our scheme will significantly improve housing choices for older people in Aberdeen. From the outset our development has been sensitively designed to provide a prestigious, contemporary building that can be enjoyed by both residents and the community alike. We worked closely with the local community to form the plans and always ensure our developments bring benefits from being well designed and centrally located, close to local transport links, amenities and shops. In turn this helps to sustain the local economy.”

The application was submitted and approved at committee following an extensive consultation with the local community regarding the proposed development.

The site had previously been granted a planning consent to develop residential apartments for sale to the general market but the development failed to progress because of the economic downturn. As a result, the new proposals had to be clearly communicated to the local community.

Sir Michael Hirst, Chairman of Pagoda Public relations, who led on community consultation, explains: “It was always going to be important to consult closely with the local community to ensure they understood this was a new proposal from a different developer. We invited over 360 local residents to a public exhibition as well as local community groups, representatives and politicians to special meetings to consult on the plans and answer their questions. Following the consultation, feedback showed 90 per cent of those consulted supported McCarthy & Stone’s proposal.” Redevelopment of the site will begin with the demolition of the existing Conference Centre expected to commence on site in autumn.