Press release - 20 June 2022

The revised planning consent increases the much-needed affordable homes to 55 from the previously consented 50 units.  This is achieved by reconstructing an internal courtyard area over two storeys to provide a new upper floor and reconfiguration of the community facilities all of which creates the space for the five additional homes.

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Some further preparatory work has been undertaken on site to remove some loose granite masonry which has been laid aside for rebuilding during the construction contract.

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Technical design work is progressing towards final building warrant approval and the production of tender documents.  It is hoped that tenders will be returned in late Autumn for review by the Association in discussion with the Scottish Government and Aberdeen City Council on the required grant for the project.  Construction prices are expected to have risen because of the economic crisis due to Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine.

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In the meantime we are in discussion with the Council on connecting the project to the Torry Heat Network to provide the development with affordable heating.

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We continue to monitor safety on the site but unfortunately the buildings are exposed to the elements and vandalism continues to cause deterioration.  We would ask parents to emphasise to children that it is a dangerous building site which must not be entered.
 
Craig Stirrat, chief executive officer at Grampian Housing Association said:

“We are pleased to be moving forward with this important regeneration project.  We have  a scheme with which will provide additional high quality, energy efficient residential accommodation for social rent, set within a mixed-use site containing community facilities.

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David Fryer, lead trustee with TDT said:  

“Despite the many world-wide factors that have affected communities everywhere, the design team of our partnership project is steadily making up for time lost in the last few years.  Consent is already in place for a small nursery and spaces for local community use, and we are also looking for options to create additional offsite benefits for Torry on adjoining sites.”

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The former Victoria Road School was purchased in 2019 by Grampian Housing Association which is working in partnership with Torry Development Trust to create a residential-led mixed use community regeneration project.