Council approves Hazlehead golf proposals
by Pete Hayman | 26 Feb 2009
Aberdeen City Council (ACC) has given the green light in principle to plans to enter a lease agreement with a private developer that will enable the redevelopment of Hazlehead Golf Course to take a step forward.
In October, the council announced that The MacKenzie Club had been selected as its preferred developer for the multi-million pound scheme, which aims to transform the 245-acre (99-hectare) into a major international golf destination. Elements of the 99-year lease deal are yet to be finalised, while a planning application for the scheme is expected to be submitted towards the end of March.
The MacKenzie Club's plans for the Hazlehead venue include the redesign of the two 18-hole golf courses and the nine-hole course, a new PGA golf academy, a clubhouse, an observatory, a hotel and an equestrian centre, as well as fishing, shooting and tennis facilities. However, issues surrounding ticketing and pricing arrangements and accessibility will still need to be addressed before the council reaches a final decision. A 10-year business plan will also have to be drawn up by the MacKenzie Club.
ACC leader Kate Dean said: "This is potentially such an exciting development for the city but obviously there are still some concerns in some quarters which the council has listened to. "We have to be absolutely certain that the council's interests, citizens' interests and golf players' interests are fully protected before we can authorise our officers to sign the lease."
Aberdeen City Council (ACC) has given the green light in principle to plans to enter a lease agreement with a private developer that will enable the redevelopment of Hazlehead Golf Course to take a step forward. In October, the council announced that The MacKenzie Club had been selected as its preferred developer for the multi-million pound scheme, which aims to transform the 245-acre (99-hectare) into a major international golf destination.
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