Future development options for Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Northfield will be considered at a public consultation event at Mastrick Community Centre next Tuesday (01 December) from 6–9pm.

This is the last of a series of 10 such events which have been held across the city over the past few weeks to give local people the chance to consider where development may take place in and around their communities.

Among the sites being promoted are fields at Greenferns south and west of Heathryburn School, and at Maidencraig west and south-west of Sheddocksley. Other sites in the built-up area are also being considered, including the Marchburn and Smithfield school sites and a site at Manor Walk, Middlefield.

The Greenferns option proposes 1,500 homes in a sustainable new community, which would be phased in up to the year 2030 and accompanied by employment land and supporting facilities. Three hundred homes could be provided at Maidencraig, in addition to land already zoned there for housing allocated in the existing Aberdeen Local Plan.

Other significant options for additional land to be allocated for development between Northfield/Sheddocksley and Kingswells are not supported by city planners.

All the options are set out in the Aberdeen Local Development Plan Main Issues Report, which was published by Aberdeen City Council last month.

The council is working on a new Local Development Plan for Aberdeen, which must show where future housing and employment land might be provided to meet the needs of the city over the next 10-20 years. The focus is on promoting sustainable development.

Earlier this year, the council invited developers, landowners and others to suggest where development land might be identified. In response, 126 sites in Aberdeen were put forward as options. City planners have now assessed the options and the outcome of these assessments is contained in the report.

The council wants to hear everyone's opinions about the options discussed in the Main Issues Report before deciding on which sites should go into the new plan.

The report sets out proposed options for more than 20,000 homes on greenfield sites in Aberdeen, 4,500 homes on brownfield sites and over 175 hectares of business land across the city. These development requirements were set out in the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Structure Plan, which was approved by Scottish Ministers in August of this year.

People can come along to the Mastrick consultation event any time from 6–9pm and speak to planners about the options. Developers, or their agents, may also be there to explain their ideas.

Anyone wishing to take part in a more detailed discussion can join a workshop session from 7–8pm. The aim is to provide information which will allow people to make an informed response to the report.

Response forms will be available on the night and forms can also be completed online at the City Council's website, where the Main Issues Report and other supporting documents can also be viewed at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/localdevelopmentplan

Copies of the Main Issues Report and supporting documents can also be viewed at:

• The Point, St Nicholas House, Broad Street, Aberdeen;
• Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, 8th Floor, St Nicholas House;
• All public libraries in Aberdeen, except Kaimhill Library. The report will be available for viewing in the mobile library serving the Garthdee area throughout the consultation period from 1.30pm–4.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 9.30am–12.30pm on Thursdays at Inchgarth Community Centre, and at Janesfield Manor sheltered housing complex, Auchinyell Road, from 9.30am–12.30pm on Fridays.

Response forms are available from these places.

The eight-week consultation period started on 16 October. Local events to gain people's views on the options have been held so far at Airyhall, Milltimber, the city centre, Altens, Stoneywood, Cults, Bridge of Don, Kingswells and Culter, and have been well supported by local residents. The closing date for responses is 5pm on Friday 11 December.

Responses should be sent to The Local Development Plan Team, Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, 9th Floor, St Nicholas House, Broad Street, Aberdeen AB10 1BW, or by email to ldp@aberdeencity.gov.uk

If you need further information, please contact the Local Development Plan Team on (01224) 523330.

All responses will be reported to the Council and will help inform the content of the Proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan, which is expected to be published in autumn 2010.

If you have any queries regarding this, or any other news story, please contact Aberdeen City Council on: 08456 080910.