£20m Union Terrace Garden plans unveiled
The plans for the £20 million revitalisation of Union Terrace Gardens have been unveiled, and you can have your say on what you’d like to see.
The plans for the £20 million revitalisation of Union Terrace Gardens have been unveiled, and you can have your say on what you’d like to see.
A public engagement exercise is now open until 9th December. Residents can share their views by completing a survey.
The designs for UTG have been drawn up by award-winning landscape design consultancy, LDA Design, based on concepts in the City Centre Masterplan. Features include:
• New accessible walkway route into the gardens from Union Street and lift access into the lower level of the gardens through a new entrance building on Union Street
• Lift access from Union Terrace into the upper level of the gardens through a new entrance building on Union Terrace at the existing Burns Monument
• New disabled parking spaces on Union Terrace directly adjacent to the new accessible walkway routes into the gardens
• Retaining the central lawn space as a flexible space for large scale gathering and events, and a new entrance plaza opposite His Majesty’s Theatre to accommodate smaller scale events
• A new café pavilion opposite His Majesty’s Theatre
• Retaining and repairing the existing granite balustrading to the perimeter of the gardens
• Reinstating the ‘grand staircase’ as a central part of the new accessible route into the gardens from Rosemount Viaduct
• Retaining maximum number of existing trees as possible
Aberdeen City Council leader Councillor Jenny Laing said: "I am delighted with the proposals that LDA Design has brought forward for Union Terrace Gardens as part of our City Centre Masterplan.
"LDA was tasked with improving access, amenity and activity while conserving UTG’s rich heritage – what residents asked for during a consultation on the Masterplan itself.
"These proposals respect the unique character of the Gardens while making the space more usable for all. I would urge all residents to share their views so the LDA can refine the design and ensure we get the best result for everyone.
"Union Terrace Gardens represents a glorious gift from the past and in turn can be our gift to future generations. It is ours to nurture."
Deputy Council leader Marie Boulton, who chairs the cross-party City Centre Regeneration Board, said: “These proposals promise to enhance the city’s green heart as place to relax and enjoy.
“LDA Design has presented us with a vision we believe everyone can unite behind. They have taken as their starting point priorities spelled during the Masterplan consultation, in which thousands of people participated.
“It became very clear that UTG was important to residents as a garden space, one that would require sensitive handling but also significant interventions to make it a place for all.
“LDA Design has responded magnificently to those wishes and challenges, honouring UTG’s character and setting while offering imaginative new ways to transform the Gardens and the Denburn Valley.”
The proposals have been costed at approximately £20 million and if approved will be funded from the existing City Centre Masterplan budget, with a target completion date of autumn 2019.
Feedback gathered during the public engagement exercise will be used by the design team to inform the drawing up of detailed plans for UTG, with a report is expected to go to Full Council in March, 2017.
Kirstin Taylor, Project Director, LDA Design, said: “Our aim is to make the Gardens everyone’s favourite all-year-round destination.
“The proposals enhance what is there, keeping as many trees as possible and providing a rich new planting scheme.
“Fine features such as the granite balustrading will be repaired, and the ‘grand staircase’ reinstated.
“We propose easier and more inviting access with new raised walks which allow for longer views and a gradual descent, and new disabled parking and lifts into the lower areas of the Gardens.
“We are proposing a beautiful lighting installation as a beacon, and new lighting for the monuments and viaduct and the arches to animate the upper terrace.
“The Gardens could be a lively cultural hub and our proposals include flexible spaces for events with an informal amphitheatre, and new community garden space. New facilities and more activities will make them feel safer.”
Neil Mattinson, Board Director, LDA Design, said: “The community’s ongoing participation is key to the success of the Gardens.
“People have been very receptive to the types of positive changes raised while developing the proposals to date.
“The UTG activation event in November was popular – it offered new ways to engage with the Gardens and gave people the chance to consider the space afresh.
“We have taken on board a wide range of views and challenges identified by locals. We will continue to take on board views to inform the detailed development of proposals which we will work on in the New Year.
“Our aim is a balanced approach that provides something for everyone.”