AN Aberdeen woman is unable to operate her burger van business near Pittodrie as the council have said they have plans for the land, despite having no idea when work would take place there.
Emma Williamson says she spoke to various local authority departments in her bid to launch her business at the site of the former Broadhill Bar, which is opposite the stadium, even going so far as to discuss a deal with Aberdeen FC bosses to ensure she did not compete with a Pittodrie staple – assuring them she “wouldn’t sell pies”.
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But her plans fell apart at the last minute – when council chiefs told her the piece of land was off limits as it comes under their Beach Masterplan vision.
This is despite the project’s future being cast into doubt due to a shortage of funds, with anything beyond the initial phases of the multi-million-pound Masterplan project currently on hold.
Ms Williamson said that she had looked into various potential pitfalls before stumping up more than £200 on the application.
A senior official said: “It’s key we keep that free, because there are going to be grounds investigations.
“We have had other people apply for that site but it’s actually included in the Beach Masterplan.
“While we did consider if there was potential, even if just for the short-term, it’s really not something we can look at this stage.”
Ms Williamson told the P&J: ““It was only the day before it was to be granted that I found out about it being connected the masterplan.
“I asked the relevant officer about it, and she couldn’t confirm if it would be five, 10 or 15 years though.”
In discussions, it was decided to explore potential other locations for the burger van – and to cancel the payment she had made for the application.
The vacant Broadhill Bar site is one of over 60 areas in Aberdeen which have been recently highlighted in the latest Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey.
