Latest plans for Blackdog set to bring big benefits to the area

Plans for Blackdog including a Regional Food Hall, cinema, hotel, leisure and business facilities at Blackdog were unanimously approved today (27 April 2017) by Aberdeenshire councillors, completing the masterplan for the area.

Last month, proposals for housing on the same site by developers Kirkwood homes, got the green light.

Set to create thousands of jobs for local people during construction and longer term, the plan will significantly boost the local economy, according to the developer behind the scheme, Ashfield Land.

Destined to transform Blackdog into a high quality lifestyle, leisure and business location, the development will also deliver offices and industrial accommodation, a local food store and other retail outlets.

Pleased to receive planning permission, Steven McGarva of Ashfield Land said: “We’re looking forward to turning the plans into reality and would like to thank the council officers and elected members for their support. It will deliver substantial benefits for people living in Aberdeenshire and beyond and give local people access to leisure, retail and business facilities that have been sorely lacking in this area.”

Located to the east of the A90 trunk road and on the junction of the new Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, Blackdog occupies a prime gateway location on the Energetica corridor. A park and ride facility alongside a network of walking and cycling routes connects the development and makes the town centre accessible.

The town centre plans are the final piece of the jigsaw that will finally help to deliver the ambitions of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan (LDP) and of the Blackdog Masterplan, first approved by the Council nearly four years ago.

James Welsh, Energetica Development Manager said: “This development is great news for Blackdog which will significantly benefit the local area and complement the Energetica corridor. Once complete we hope it will offer new high-quality space to live, visit, work and do business”

A key element in the £150m mixed use development is the Regional Food Hall which will showcase the best of local produce from farms and producers across the North East under one roof. Designed to appeal to locals and tourists, it will support local businesses.

North East Regional Director for the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), Ian Armstrong added, “A key goal for the region is to diversify its economic base and SCDI welcomes the Blackdog plans with their focus on an attractive town centre, including a food hall to showcase the region’s rich larder.”

Due to be developed in phases over the next 5 – 10 years, during a time of change locally as new housing is built in Blackdog, the development will provide a sufficient mix of retail and leisure opportunities to serve the local community as it grows, while attracting visitors from the region and beyond. The work will get underway later this year.

Philip Mann, Chair of the Blackdog Resident’s Association said:

“As an Association we welcomed the new town centre plans and look forward to the facilities being delivered over the coming years. Today’s result is a great boost for the village and it gives us even more reason to celebrate at our Gala day this summer.”