What visual impact will this ultimately have on the gateway into Aberdeen from the south?

We absolutely appreciate its importance – people travelling into Aberdeen from the south are already presented with a striking view of the city. At every stage in developing our plans, we have borne in mind that we want to augment that.

Motorists travelling into Aberdeen on the A90, or householders overlooking the area – what will they see, instead of the existing open farmland?

A country park environment complemented by a business park and housing development that will be designed and set out to keep visual impact to a minimum.

Does Aberdeen City and Shire need new commercial developments like this?

Yes it does. There is an acknowledged shortage of business accommodation, a shortage that is constraining the region’s growth. We believe we’re helping to address that in an imaginative way that minimises environmental impact and – when the package is viewed as a whole – enhances the environmental offering.

Does the region need a housing development on this scale?

Again, it is recognised that a diverse housing development of this kind – accounting for around one third of the entire project and encompassing affordable homes – reflects the long-term needs of Aberdeen City and Shire.

Given the economic situation at present, why plan to build 3,000 new houses and a business park?

We are responding to the challenges as set out in the draft Structure Plan. The economy of the region is evolving and local agencies and authorities are working to help that process to ensure the economy prospers in the long term. To that end we need sustainable, attractive places in which to live and work, and we believe we are delivering that. The world economy is facing challenges at present but the draft Structure Plan looks to 2030. We are looking to the long-term and expect to be coming on stream when the economy will be growing strongly again.