Local MP Stephen Flynn silent as Labour council group calls for green space to be preserved
By Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
MSPs Audrey Nicoll, Douglas Lumsden, Mercedes Villalba, and Maggie Chapman.
Aberdeen City Councillors will meet next week to discuss the Granite City's planned Energy Transition Zone- as the fate of Torry’s largest green space lies in the balance.
Over objections from community members and medical professionals, St Fittick’s Park was permitted to be redeveloped in September 2022.
Plans to redevelop the site were first raised in March 2020 by the then Labour and Conservative led council as part of a proposed Local Development Plan (LDP).
Aberdeen based energy company ETZ Ltd wants to turn up to one-third of the park into industrial office space, which they say will bring millions in revenue to the area.
Members of Aberdeen’s Labour group have launched a last ditch effort to prevent the company from building on the site- a move recently branded by SNP council co-leader Christian Allard as a “cheap political stunt.”
Mr Allard, who represents the Torry/Ferryhill ward, was a staunch opponent of the proposed redevelopment while in opposition. He did not respond when we asked him if his views on the park had evolved in recent years.
The then Labour and Conversative led council first pushed forward with plans to redevelop the park in March 2020, voting to remove environmental
protections from St Fittick's and nearby Doonies Farm.
We wanted to see what local political leaders had to say on the issue, so we approached area MSPs (as well as MP Stephen Flynn) for comment.
Audrey Nicoll, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine (SNP)
Mrs Nicoll was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2021, previously serving as a Aberdeen city councillor. As the local MSP, her constituency office is located on Victoria Road in Torry.
She told us that “genuine community empowerment” must be at the centre of any proposals going forward, and noted her opposition to St Fittick’s inclusion in the 2020 Local Development Plan.
Mrs Nicoll added:
“No one is in any doubt the clock is ticking on our climate crisis, and the establishment of an ETZ has the potential to support our transition to renewables. The ETZ includes Altens, East and West Tullos Industrial estates, which have many existing brownfield sites offering development opportunities. However, as in all major developments, the needs of the communities impacted must sit front and centre of any proposal made.
“... Numerous meetings and engagement events with the community and stakeholders have taken place as part of a detailed consultation process, however there remains a lack of clarity on what exactly is being proposed for St Fitticks and Doonies, and what community benefits and mitigations are to be delivered.
“Given the significant value the park holds for the wellbeing of the community and generations to come, industry partners must demonstrate they are listening to the community, and that genuine community empowerment, not just engagement, sits front and centre of any proposals."
Douglas Lumsden, North East list MSP (Conservatives)
Speaking for the four North East Conservative MSPs, Mr Lumsden said the development of the ETZ must be handled “sensitively.”
Mr Lumsden commented:
"The Energy Transition Zone is a major project, the success of which will guarantee Aberdeen stays at the forefront of UK energy for decades to come.
"There has already been significant scrutiny of the plans and councillors are there to make sure the ETZ delivers for the people of Torry and the wider city.
"However, I believe this can and will be done sensitively, and is vital to the economic development of Aberdeen, if the city is going to lead the way in the transition to renewable energies."
Maggie Chapman, North East list MSP (Scottish Greens)
Ms Chapman, who maintains a residence in Aberdeen’s Woodside neighbourhood, has served in the Scottish Parliament since 2021.
Speaking to The Gaudie, she stressed the need to protect the park for Torry residents.
Ms Chapman said:
“We are living through a climate crisis and need to stop relying on polluting fuels for energy. As part of this need for a just transition from fossil fuels to renewables we need investment, space, and expertise to come together in Aberdeen.
"However, we must have a just transition - one that works for communities and workers. That is why the local Scottish Greens' branch, Aberdeen Greens, voted to protect St Fittick's Park and Doonies Farm in 2019.
"Torry must not be forced, again, to pay the price for this energy transition. Old Torry was destroyed for oil and gas in the 70s. We cannot let this happen again. That is why we have advocated for the use of brownfield sites in areas such as Altens for the ETZ instead.
“ My party and I believe that St Fittick's Park should be fully protected. This was the policy put forward in our 2022 Local election manifesto. Aberdeen City Council, alongside various partner organisations, spent over £300,000 to restore the wetlands within the park.
“This is providing an increasingly important habitat for local and migratory wildlife. St Fittick's Park is also a vital greenspace for local people, providing a greenspace and amenity land for the community. I believe strongly that it should be fully protected and have advocated as such since my election.”
Mercedes Villalba, North East list MSP (Labour)
Ms Villalba is a member of the Labour party, and has represented the North East of Scotland in the Scottish Parliament since 2021.
In a statement, she called on the Council to prevent St Fittick’s Park from being redeveloped.
“St Fittick’s Park is the last remaining green space in Torry and is a thriving habitat for plants and animals. Sitting at the heart of the community, the park is celebrated as a place for people of Torry and Aberdeen to enjoy and be close to nature.
“We must reach our climate targets, but not by sacrificing existing biodiverse, green spaces like these. St Fittick’s Park and Doonies Rare Breed Farm should never have been included in the development plan proposals and must be left intact for the benefit of the local community in Torry.”
No response: Michael Marra MSP (Labour), Stephen Flynn MP (SNP)
Despite being Torry’s local MP, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn did not respond to our multiple queries.
Labour MSP Michael Marra (based out of Dundee) also did not respond to our request.
