chilli Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 I & 160other people attended a public meeting of the Seafield & CraigiebucklerCommunity Group last Tuesday on the back of hearing of some disturbing news about some wholesale changes in the way Hazlehead Golf Course& other amenities are going to be run from 1st April 2009.There are two options available, Hazlehead Golf Course could simply joina new Sports Trust, which would mean very little difference to the ameneties & the public access to the golf course etc etcSadly the majority of Aberdeen City Councilors want to take a different route to PRIVATISE the golf course & lease it to a company on a 99year leasebringing in 100k a year. For this fee Hazlehead Golf Course will becomea semi private semi public utility. The company that is the preferredbidder would be able to build a hotel & timeshare chalets somewhere within the Hazlehead Golfcourse, Park or Woodland. This companyhas no previous experience within Golfcourse managment. Additionallytimeshare owners would have preferrential tee times forcing locals off the course.More worrying is that the the hotel & an unspecified number of chaletswould be built in Hazlehead Park, Woodland or football pitches. This would cause a large problem of access for walkers & cyclists who use the area in droves.This area of Aberdeen has already a massive over-capacity of cars in relation tothe road infrastructure & this will lead to even more bottlenecks & the possibility of increased danger to schoolchildren of the two schools in the area. Hazlehead Parks are in the custody of the council on behalf of the peopleof Aberdeen & as such until this meeting NO PUBLIC CONSULTATION has taken place & unless they vote for the Sports Trust Option Hazlehead will change foreveras house builders will move in as a precedent has been created by thisabsurb development Please take time to email Aberdeen City Council Leader Sue Brucesuebruce@aberdeencitycouncil.gov.ukstating that when the councillors have their PRIVATE meeting on 25th March 09that the they should vote for the SPORTS TRUST Option for the HazelheadParkland project.thank you for reading Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogofish Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Have you any more links to info about this scheme?Personally, I've not thought it as objectionable as the other place but TBH, I need to see more to make-up my mind completely. An outline plan, or something that gives a better idea of the current disposition and proposed changes/development would be very helpful.Although I do take your point about the transfer of a public resource into private hands. That I do find objectionable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattJimF Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 If you are going to try and scare people into believing things you could at least reference sites that give the full details instead of insinuating that they may be building on the football pitches, park and woodland.If you had been following all the details in the local paper like i have you would know that it's only the golf course that is being redeveloped, and possibly the riding school being bought as well for the golf academy.For anyone interested in knowing all the details the following links should help you:Hazlehead Golf Course teed up for multi-million pound investmentCity promised mini-Gleneagles if consortium wins go-ahead - Press & Journalhttp://www.s-e-a.org.uk/documentation/HAYFIELD%20CELEBRATES.doc - word document that confirms Hayfield has been sold to the MacKenzie Club (second page).Hopefully these may give people a bit more information about the whole project rather than just hinting that this or that could happen, and not really giving any information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogofish Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Interesting links but no plans yet. A search turns-up little more than a number of placeholder websites with an email link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Please take time to email Aberdeen City Council Leader Sue Brucesuebruce@aberdeencitycouncil.gov.ukThe Leader of Aberdeen City Council is Cllr Kate Dean.Sue Bruce is the Chief Executive.The councillors will take the decision, not the Chief Executive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKA the brando Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 I`m really impressed with the way the council are trying to make money, 100K a year is great!Really cant see them affecting the parkland area too much, its all about building the city up again - gotta be positive. hopefully they can continue with this type of thing and help to improve our tired looking city.however if they attempt to take away the pitch and put, i`ll be down there in an instant - chaining myself to the 3rd tee!gonna have some more great golf courses soon though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogofish Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 gonna have some more great golf courses soon though! You think?SOMETHING for the weekend? Hotels are cutting prices and offering an unprecedented range of inducements including free golf and meals to lure new customers during the credit crunch.The industry has been hit by a drop in demand, particularly from the business sector, as firms have cut back on conferences and meetings because of the recession.Now one chain of midmarket hotels, De Vere Venues, is offering rooms for 10 a night, while others are seeking to attract holidaymakers through added extras.The five-star Gleneagles, in Perthshire, has trimmed its basic price back it is still 190 per night for a room, but a two-course lunch at one of its restaurants has been thrown in as well. It is also offering a room with free golf on one of its highly ranked courses for 225 a night.Recession-hit hotels tempt customers with cheap rooms and free golf - Scotland on Sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattJimF Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Interesting links but no plans yet. A search turns-up little more than a number of placeholder websites with an email link.Yeah i was annoyed about that. The EE had artist impressions of how it would look about a month ago, but no sign on the website. ?( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 I`m really impressed with the way the council are trying to make money, 100K a year is great!Considering how much the development will cost and how much they'll hope to make, 100k a year is fucking pathetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
framheim Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 If you are going to try and scare people into believing things you could at least reference sites that give the full details instead of insinuating that they may be building on the football pitches, park and woodland.If you had been following all the details in the local paper like i have you would know that it's only the golf course that is being redeveloped, and possibly the riding school being bought as well for the golf academy.For anyone interested in knowing all the details the following links should help you:Hazlehead Golf Course teed up for multi-million pound investmentCity promised mini-Gleneagles if consortium wins go-ahead - Press & Journalhttp://www.s-e-a.org.uk/documentation/HAYFIELD%20CELEBRATES.doc - word document that confirms Hayfield has been sold to the MacKenzie Club (second page).Hopefully these may give people a bit more information about the whole project rather than just hinting that this or that could happen, and not really giving any information.really? are you trying to say that reading aberdeen journals papers is the best way to get impartial news on major golf developments in aberdeenshire? with a straight face? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattJimF Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 really? are you trying to say that reading aberdeen journals papers is the best way to get impartial news on major golf developments in aberdeenshire? with a straight face?No what i'm saying is given the huge lack of details about it on the net and in any other form of media, the local press is situated as being the only form of media tht is covering these stories.Unless you can point out one other media source that has better coverage of the proposed plans for Hazelhead than aberdeen journals i suggest you kindly take your disgust for the local papers somewhere else!Also at what point in any of my posts did i mention impartiallity on the part of the sources i supplied? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKA the brando Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Considering how much the development will cost and how much they'll hope to make, 100k a year is fucking pathetic.I personally think its pretty good for some land that has been making no profit at all, and probably costing a lot to upkeep. and the 100k is just the rent i presume, IF this takes off then it will be bringing people to the area who will be spending money too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skamikazee Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Who the fuck wants a time-share at Hazelhead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogofish Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 I personally think its pretty good for some land that has been making no profit at all, and probably costing a lot to upkeep. and the 100k is just the rent i presume, IF this takes off then it will be bringing people to the area who will be spending money too.Not all land has to be profitable of course. Especially at Hazlehead, where they have been held for us all as a public park since what, around 1920? I don't know if income should be a primary consideration there?The feuing of the Freedom Lands has long been thought of as one of Aberdeen's biggest ever financial blunders and taking this small segment back into public ownership might be viewed as one small step in righting a historic wrong. Should they be thinking about handing it back into private control again quite so soon? Especially as the issue of public vs private space is hardly uncontentious to begin with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKA the brando Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 I think if i`m being honest and not just a twat, and trying to stir up a debate,i actually dont mind hazlehead park, some good childhood memories down there and playing football at the pitches there etc.I\m just a great believer in trying to improve the city because i do think its very tired and backward looking, and i suppose the only real money that will be put into the city now, is from these types of outside investors. I`m not saying that we need to sell the city, so to speak, but it just needs something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogofish Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 I\m just a great believer in trying to improve the city because i do think its very tired and backward looking, and i suppose the only real money that will be put into the city now, is from these types of outside investors.Yes, I can fully agree - We do need something.However, what concerns me is that this something often seems to require that we give-up public property/space or amenity as opposed to using the not insignificant amount of land already zoned for development or currently underperforming in an existing economic role.Which may or may not include Hazlehead of course. Time and plans will probably make things clearer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted March 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Fact Tesco own all Dobbies Garden CentresFact Tesco were represented at the Community meetingFact from a councillor Tesco have held up up all plans for a new Tesco &/or housing devlopment(s)in the west end until a decision is made about whether the Hazlehead development will be be of Sports Trust or the preffered by private company SpeculationShould a new supermarket or housing project take place the roads & green infrastructure would be decimated & who would pick up a bill well in excess of 99years lease cost for adding to the west end car chaos???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKA the brando Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Ohh that would be miles better, if its a new supermarket! im fed up going to bridge of don! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Banacek Posted March 21, 2009 Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 Fact from a councillor Tesco have held up up all plans for a new Tesco &/or housing devlopment(s)in the west end until a decision is made about whether the Hazlehead development will be be of Sports Trust or the preffered by private companySomeone who believes what councillors tell them?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted March 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 Someone who believes what councillors tell them?!?well they are two councillors for the area i live in & they are for the Sports Trustrather than the destruction of green belt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogofish Posted March 23, 2009 Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 This is interesting:Aberdeen golf plan hits the rough - Evening ExpressBut a report has highlighted a fundamental mismatch between TMC Ltds desire to be awarded control over as large a possible area next to the golf courses and the councils desire to regulate any golf related development.<snip>TMC wants 200 acres on top of the 245 acres of golf courses for developments such as a fishing pond, shooting range and a pub. The report described these a unfunded and speculative and said land should not be leased without clear purpose or return.<snip>Officers expressed concern that no project agreement exists yet between TMC and its preferred operator for a 50-bedroom five-star hotel, but the consortium has argued it needs a lease first.Hmm, so they want another couple of hundred acres of dubiously specified, possible "development land" in addition to the tract they have already planned for, which even then is not yet subject to hard and fast agreements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattJimF Posted March 23, 2009 Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 I'd be careful there, your quoting from an Aberdeen Journals publication, and as i found out to my cost certain members of this site don't like that!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogofish Posted March 23, 2009 Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 Don't worry, I will not be taking it as gospel and I'll be looking out for confirmation one way or the other, some other way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted March 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 and you wonder why hundreds of local residents are worried that our green space is under severe threat from mass development & massive infrastructure costs which the city folk will no doubt pick-up.anybody reading this should read the first post & back the sports trust plan & email the chief executive who exerts great power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted March 23, 2009 Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 anybody reading this should read the first post & back the sports trust plan & email the chief executive who exerts great powerThe Chief Executive exerts no power on this issue, the decision will be taken by the councillors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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