Scottish Government

Strengthen the role of Aberdeen City and Shire as Scotland's Northern Gateway and sustain vibrant economic growth.

NPF2 Paragraph Reference

56, 118, 120, 132, 133, 140, 203, 204, 205, 209, Annex - National Development 4

Contribution to NPF Strategy

• Supports the development of Scotland's cities as key drivers of the economy.
• Supports sustainable growth in the rural economy.
• Helps improve health, regenerate communities and enable disadvantaged communities to access opportunities.
• Expands opportunities for communities and businesses by promoting environmental quality and good connectivity.
• Strengthens links with the rest of the world.

Lead partners must ensure that the priorities of the ACSEF Economic Action Plan, Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) and SDPA Strategic Development Plan (SDP) are complementary. This requires that the visions of these documents are closely aligned and that they remain up-to-date. It will also mean collectively supporting and facilitating the implementation of the relevant plans and strategies.

2009 - Approval of Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan

2010 - Publication of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Proposed Local Development Plans (LDPs). Publication of ACSEF Economic Action Plan "A future to look forward to"

2011 - Publication of Aberdeen City and Shire SDP Main Issues Report (MIR) and adoption of Aberdeenshire LDP

2012 - Adoption of Aberdeen City LDP, publication of Proposed SDP and Regional Transport Strategy (RTS)

2013 - Approval of SDP

Lead Partner(s)/Delivery Bodies

ACSEF, ACSSDPA, Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council
Scottish Enterprise, Airport operator, Port operators, Network Rail, Transport Scotland,

Strengthen Aberdeen City and Shire's role as Scotland's northern gateway - The Aberdeen City & Shire Structure Plan was approved in August 2009. Proposed Local Development Plans (LDPs) for Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City were submitted to the Scottish Government Directorate of Planning and Appeals for Examination in March and May 2011 respectively. Development Plans in the north east reflect the 'Energetica' initiative which is encouraging economic development in the Aberdeen to Peterhead strategic growth area and is one of Scottish Enterprise's key infrastructure projects. A delivery plan has been produced to provide the context for public and private sector investment in phase one, up to and including 2013.

Nestrans continues to work with port and airport operators to promote the opportunities for direct links to and from the region. In particular, Aberdeen Airport is actively promoting opportunities for further direct flight links to key destinations in the UK, Scandinavia and continental Europe. It is proposed to refresh the Regional Transport Strategy in parallel with the preparation of a Strategic Development Plan (Main Issues Report expected September 2011) to better link timeframes and ensure compatibility in policy terms. Nestrans, the SDPA and both councils commissioned work on the cumulative impacts of new development and are producing supplementary guidance to deliver a package of interventions to facilitate development proposals in the local development plans.

Transport Scotland are also involved in discussions and the guidance will be consulted on in September 2011, subject to approval by the SDPA. In May 2011, Aberdeen Harbour Board announced the start of major works to widen and deepen the navigable channel into Aberdeen Harbour to ensure reliability and improve access particularly during bad weather and heavy swells. Nestrans and other regional transport partnerships are campaigning to secure commitment for landing slots to be retained at London airports.

Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan was approved by Scottish Ministers in August 2009.

Nestrans is working with port and airport operators to promote the opportunities for direct links to/from the region. BAA is actively promoting opportunities for further direct flight links to key destinations in the UK, Scandinavia and continental Europe.