CONTROVERSIAL plans to redevelop Aberdeen's historic Union Terrace Gardens could be abandoned as soon as tomorrow after opponents of the £140 million scheme took control of the city council.
Labour yesterday confirmed it would lead the administration in Aberdeen after striking a deal with other political groups to allow a free vote to decide the way forward for the City Square project.
The party, which has taken the reigns in Aberdeen for the first time in a decade after securing support from the three Tories and two independents, had campaigned against the plans in the run-up to the election.
Labour is also understood to be seeking a meeting with local oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood, who will not be speaking on the potential scrapping of the plans until after the vote. Mr Wood has pledged to spend £85m on the project.
The current version of the plan involves raising the level of the gardens, creating a square which is to be a "cross between a grand Italian piazza and a mini Central Park", with Sir Ian claiming it was necessary for the revitalisation of Aberdeen.
It was approved by the city council last year, as an alternative plan for a contemporary arts centre in the gardens was rejected. An initial consultation found 55% of people were against the project before a subsequent referendum found 52% in favour.
Despite claims, a deal between the SNP and Labour failed to materialise because the Nationalists had been instructed not to do any deal over the gardens. However, Barney Crockett, the Labour leader in Aberdeen, said the various positions on the future of the project did not scupper a potential coalition. He added: "The SNP group were extremely constructive and the decision was difficult. All the groups have been very positive and constructive in looking at the future of the city. I was particularly struck that the Conservatives have a very new sense of direction."
Fraser Forsyth, Tory group leader in Aberdeen, said: "We were happy to put aside our political differences with Labour to work for the better good and to ensure that we deliver efficient local services."
However, Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACSEF), the public private partnership body spearheading the garden plans, said there were "key questions and concerns that Labour are opposed to some of the projects and initiatives we support to drive growth in the economy and create jobs".
Chairman Tom Smith said: "The City Garden Project is now in doubt. This is a once-in-a-lifetime project that will transform our city centre, its look, feel, economy and culture, in a way that piece-meal developments simply will not do. It is hard to believe that a political party are prepared to go against a project which secured a majority vote in a referendum. This brings both integrity and democracy into question."
Aberdeen's SNP leader Callum McCaig said discussions with Labour about a coalition were "cordial but superficial", adding: "We're disappointed they have chosen to form an administration without us. This is not because it means that we are in opposition, but because it is a missed opportunity for Aberdeen's two strongest political parties to put their differences aside to deliver for the greater good of the people we represent."
Meanwhile, in North Ayrshire, talks are ongoing amid speculation the SNP, with one more councillor than Labour, are on the cusp of becoming a minority administration, supported by some independents.
Not only would it see Labour ousted from another heartland for the first time in around three decades but the likelihood is the next provost would be Joan Sturgeon, mother of Deputy First Minister Nicola.
The Herald also understands there is a determination among some within the unionist parties in Stirling to do a deal to deny the Nationalists control of such a historically significant area in the run-up to the 2014 independence referendum.
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