Many hundreds of Aberdonians turned out to show their disapproval of the hugely misconceived Muse development which has the enthusiastic backing of the Labour led Aberdeen City Council.
Views ranged from outright anger to suspicion over how we were so misled by them. At one stage all talk was of a civic square being created to act as a focus for the city which would be used for cultural events as well as a sanctuary for the people of the city – who it should be remembered own this site.
The square idea contracted and contracted until all that remained after officials, councillors and developers completed their negotiations was a street, and one that will be overshadowed by a bloody great series of soulless boxes.
Where else have we seen them?
Ah, yes over at the Triple Kirks going up right now.
Who, in their right mind, would agree to this dismal development?
Several of those demonstrating their opposition were pretty certain they knew the reason (reasons) that swayed support. Suffice to say it was nothing connected with the architectural integrity of the site.
Marischal College is one of the finest buildings in the whole of Scotland. A backdrop of this magnificent granite edifice to a civic square would place Aberdeen on the map in terms of civic pride and ambition.
What the Muse shopping centre will do is underline the bankruptcy of ambition and imagination of the current Labour led council.
I did not see Dame Anne Begg there – she was a prominent opponent, correctly, of the equally appalling Union Terrace Gardens design. So does this mean she, and her fellow Labour MP Frank Doran and the usually opinionated MSP, Lewis Macdonald have given their backing to this monstrosity? We can assume so until we hear otherwise.
On 9 October 2014 the local newspaper quoted Willie Young, Labour group secretary saying they did not operate a whip and that planning decisions were non-political.
I think we can all make up our own minds on that.
The 7000 signatories to the petition objecting to the Muse development are well aware of the shortcomings of those who have pushed and pushed this proposal.
We should be asking WHY this one?
WHY is this design that overwhelms the site?
The architecture is ugly. The scale is ridiculous. The loss of a world-class amenity ought to be a actionable.
It is time to hold the people who flex their power to impose such an abomination on the city to account for their cultural vandalism.
“Councillor Marie Boulton, Aberdeen City Council deputy leader, added: “We are seeing the start of what will be a vibrant and exciting development on the old St. Nicholas House site.”
“Planning committee convener Ramsay Milne insisted, however, that the council acted “entirely properly” in its handling of the case.
Mr Milne moved to approve the plans, praising officers and insisting elected members had a “civic duty” to back the redevelopment.”
“Council leader Jenny Laing said Marischal Square could provide a “beating heart” for the centre of Aberdeen.”
“Labour’s Willie Young faced a backlash after his comments in the Press and Journal that it was “already determined” that the £107million Marischal Square project would go ahead. 18 July 2014.”
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/289634/marischal-square-finance-chief-under-fire/
It was great that so many gathered to demonstrate their disapproval but having turned out in their high hundreds the organisers should have had something to focus the event to increase its impact: speakers on mic, holding hands around the condemned site, demanding an appearance from the man the crowd held most responsible for this debacle, Willie Young, who it was reported was in the Town House at the time.
There was a time city officials were prepared to face their critics and respond to their objections to their decisions but no more, our present-day incumbents hide in their Town House ivory tower.
Such is 21st century democracy in Aberdeen.
Lenathehyena's Blog from Lorna Corall Dey 