Issued on behalf of the University of Aberdeen and CALA Homes
A well-known Aberdeen landmark is a step closer to redevelopment following an agreement between the University of Aberdeen and CALA Homes.
A conditional contract has been signed between the University and CALA Homes to transform the Hilton Campus home of the former Northern College and now the University's School of Education - into 400 homes.
Lord Sewel, Senior Vice Principal, the University of Aberdeen, said: "The University is delighted to have agreed upon a contract with CALA Homes, subject to planning. The plans put forward by the developers meet all the requirements of the planning brief, which was developed in consultation with City Council planners; the plans are sensitive to the site and, if given the go-ahead, will blend in well with neighbouring buildings."
The local community have been involved in the development of the planning brief, with many residents attending a public meeting organised by the University last November. The University made significant changes to the brief following concern expressed by some residents over the potential scale and density of residential development. The University agreed changes in terms of building heights to ensure there would be no overlooking or privacy problems for those residents whose houses directly back onto the site. The brief has also sought to minimise the impact of higher density development when viewed from outwith the scheme and was altered to show additional screen planting along Hilton Street in keeping with the existing landscaping.
Lord Sewel added that the proceeds of the sale of the Hilton Campus, for an undisclosed sum, would be used to accommodate the School of Education on the King's College Campus and some consequential moves.
The School of Education will relocate to the MacRobert Building, on the King's College campus, where renovation work has already begun, during the summer of 2005. The refurbished building will boast state-of-the-art facilities that will not only benefit the 1,400 full and part-time students within the School of Education but also students and staff across the University.
The refurbished MacRobert building will boast:
· An entire floor of ICT facilities, available on a 24-hour basis;
· Additional performance space;
· State-of-the-art meeting and lecture facilities;
· Enhanced facilities for post-graduate research and continuing professional development (CPD); and
· Additional catering facilities.
"There is no doubt that students from the former Hilton campus will benefit from being based within the wider campus at Old Aberdeen," said Cathy Macaslan, Head of the University's School of Education. "Our new facilities will enhance teaching provision and continuing professional development across Scotland."
Gerry More, Managing Director of CALA Homes (East) Limited said: "CALA was founded in 1875 as the City of Aberdeen Land Association so our roots are in Aberdeen and we are particularly pleased to be working with the University on this prestigious development, which will offer an innovative mix of new build detached homes, townhouses and apartments in addition to refurbished accommodation.
"Our extensive experience in projects of this nature, which call for sensitivity in both design and approach, includes Greenbank Village in Edinburgh and Grandholm Village in Aberdeen.
"I am confident that the homes we hope to build at Hilton Campus will prove as popular as those at Grandholm and Greenbank Villages."
Senior Vice Principal Lord Sewel will be available for interview from 12pm to 12:45pm, and 3.30pm onwards. Please contact Jill in the first instance.
To arrange interviews with Gerry More, MD of CALA Homes (East) Ltd, please contact Ilya Scott, at Real PR, on 0141 572 5373.
Issued by Jill Moir, Communications Office, External Affairs, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: (01224) 272012 or 07776 473429 Fax: (01224) 272086.