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Council defers Hazlehead golf proposals
Aberdeen City Council (ACC) has announced that it has deferred its final decision on whether to progress plans for the redevelopment of the city's Hazlehead Golf Course for six weeks.
It was revealed that ongoing negotiations with the company behind the multi-million pound proposals, The MacKenzie Club, had delayed the development of a draft lease agreement that was to be presented to the full council. The MacKenzie Club's plans for the Hazlehead facility include the complete overhaul of the two 18-hole courses and the nine-hole course, as well as the creation of a Professional Golf Association (PGA) academy, a new clubhouse and a five-star hotel.
However, the council stipulated a number of principal objectives that must be met as part of the scheme, including the retention of pay-and-play availability, guaranteed access for Aberdeen residents, and strictly enforced woodland and environmental management plans. ACC leader Kate Dean said: "What we had to decide at full council was whether this was the point at which to reject what is on offer outright or whether we should defer the matter for six weeks for further negotiation, scrutiny and analysis.
"For The MacKenzie Club proposals to be acceptable, we need to ensure that all necessary and reasonable safeguards are in place to protect the interests of the council and the people of Aberdeen. We need to know the course will be accessible and affordable. We do not have that yet." Under the terms of the proposed two-stage lease process, The MacKenzie Club would be given three years to complete the golf-related infrastructure, before a long-term lease would be granted for any further developments.
Meanwhile, the council has reached a 12-month lease agreement for Auchmill Golf Course, which will see the Auchmill Golf Club manage the facility for a one-year period with the possibility of securing a longer-term lease. The Scottish government will need to approve the proposals as the rent will fall below current market values, but negotiations on a long-term lease could get underway in autumn if the new arrangement is successful.
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