New figures have highlighted a positive public reaction to City Centre Masterplan proposals to regenerate and reshape Aberdeen city centre for the future.

The latest round of public consultations closed on Monday [06 April] – and an initial assessment of the results shows the majority of respondents support the proposals.

With some 7,000 contacts made during the process and almost 2,000 questionnaires received, 85% of those who responded say they are in favour of the range of long-term projects to change Aberdeen for the better over the next 20 years and beyond.

• 83% were in favour of partial or full pedestrianisation of some streets;

• 95% supported projects to improve open space around the Denburn and River Dee;

• 87% wanted improved city centre shopping areas;

• 88% backed proposals for better public spaces at the Castlegate and Queen Street.

Those who completed the Masterplan survey also highlighted the need to improve urban living (74%) and deliver a boost for city centre employment (78%).

Responses and comments have also been received by telephone, letter, Twitter, Facebook and email, and a comprehensive independent assessment of all the feedback is now being carried out.

Aberdeen City Council’s Masterplan team led a series of engagement events during the period 14–28 March to gather feedback from people living and working in the city on the plans they had helped to formulate during two earlier rounds of consultation last year.

Aberdeen City Council Chief Executive Angela Scott said:

“People have been actively engaged in the City Centre Masterplan process from day one and the support we are seeing in the feedback suggests we are on the right track in terms of delivering solutions which will shape Aberdeen for the future.

The response totals are higher than most opinion polls and that underlines the robust nature of the survey findings on each of the themes and projects. The Masterplan team have also advised me that many of the people who have been involved in previous stages of the consultation have been encouraged that we have listened and responded to their input – and that too is encouraging.

The next steps will involve further detailed analysis of the feedback, continued work with stakeholder groups, and having further discussions with those directly involved in the plans – ahead of bringing a full report to the Full Council in the summer.”