Countesswells in bloom
Aberdeen’s largest new community is set for a further phase of investment in landscaping which includes new pathways which will connect Countesswells woods to Hazelhead woods.
Work is due to begin on a planned integration of new sections of path that will allow walkers, cyclists and horse-riders to travel from one woodland to another, passing through the new community of Countesswells.
To date, the infrastructure including new roads and utilities represents £15million of investment, with more than £2million spent on the strategic landscaping and green space that forms the heart of the community amenity at Countesswells. This includes the creation of the new Cults Burn park and burn, a large children’s play park that overlooks a pebble beach, adjacent to the new burn, with aquatic plants along its route. There is also the community orchard, with fruit trees and herb gardens, various wildflower meadows containing shrubs, grasses and a variety of plants. This, in turn, has created a bio-diverse landscape which is attracting a plethora of new wildlife. Various interconnecting pathways suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders meander under and over timber bridges and boardwalks.
Allan McGregor, project director for Countesswells, said: “As the flowers, plants and trees planted over 12 months ago flourish in the unusually warm summer weather, we are making plans for the next stages of landscaping.
“The new sections of pathway will integrate the new community at Countesswells and connect directly with the existing path network that crosses through Hazelhead and Countesswells Woods. In agreement with the Forestry Commission, who own the woods, we will construct a new path within the Countesswells Woods to directly tie-into the development.
“This will remain as a natural pathway, to compliment the current terrain, and will attract more walkers, cyclists, equestrian riders and, of course, even more wildlife.”
With a vision to set new standards for urban design in the north-east of Scotland, Countesswells has been thoughtfully designed to enhance the already stunning natural environment with well-planned formal and informal green spaces and features.
The new community has reached several milestones over the last 18 months, from welcoming its first residents to unveiling Aberdeen’s first community orchard and delivering a children’s playpark, highly rated by PlayScotland.
The new £800 million community to the west of the city is being taken forward by Countesswells Development Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Stewart Milne Group.
Backed by an innovative UK Government funding agreement, Countesswells is so far the first and only homes project to be supported by a HM Treasury Guarantee Scheme. The £86m guarantee was instrumental in helping to accelerate the project, allowing the developers to invest up-front in the landscaping and infrastructure on site.
Mr McGregor added: “Housebuilders will have a certain level of landscaping in their plans, but this is typically confined to the gardens and streetscapes associated with the new homes. The difference with Countesswells is the substantial upfront investment in creating an established environment that when the new residents move in, they have immediate access to a thriving, natural bio-diverse environment that promotes health, well-being and a direct connection with nature.”
There are now around 150 families living in these new homes with four different housebuilders now on site to build the next neighbourhoods.
The exemplar development project has already been recognised by a series of accolades and awards including recent success at the RICS Awards 2018, where Countesswells was honoured as the winner of the best ‘residential property’ category, and a high commendation in the ‘innovation in housing awards’ from The Saltire Society.