Climate activists have caused 'significant damage' to equipment at a controversial building site in Aberdeen.
Over the weekend, activists with Climate Camp Scotland removed fencing and vandalised construction equipment at St Fittick’s Park in Aberdeen’s Torry neighbourhood.
A section of the community park is to be turned into an industrial campus as part of a multimillion pound energy transition zone.
Now, activists say that the building process has been pushed back due to their action.
Campaigners covered the construction site with signs reading “Hauns Affa Torry”, “NO ETZ, NO LANDGRAB” and “Solidarity”.
Climate Camp Scotland spokesperson Varian Skye said: “This weekend we said here and no further. Fences designed to lock out the local community have been taken down and repurposed to build structures making vehicle access more difficult.
“Using bike locks, expanding foam, paint, and a good old wrench, we took on the vehicles and machines in the park that are turning the thriving wetland into an industrial wasteland.”
Skye added: “Climate justice will never be handed to us from above. We will build it with our own hands from the fences they put up to keep us out.”
Police Scotland has confirmed that they are investigating an incident at the site, while developer ETZ Ltd said that “significant damage” had been caused to plant machinery and equipment.
Maggie McGinlay, chief executive of the firm, said: “The affected local contractor, a local specialist environmental projects firm, has duly alerted the police who will take forward necessary inquiries.
“This is a hugely regrettable incident, particularly because the works being carried out form part of a multi-million-pound investment by ETZ Ltd to realign East Tullos Burn and wetlands, improving its biodiversity and water quality, as well as significantly enhance community amenities in and around St Fittick’s Park."
McGinlay said that ongoing improvements included new accessible entrances, new paths, a social shelter, grass playing pitches, and terraced viewing areas; as well as conservation work on the 12th century St Fittick’s Church.
She added: "Despite the unfortunate, deliberate and unprovoked vandalism over the weekend, ETZ Ltd remains fully committed to making these improvements for the benefit of the local community.
“It is important to stress this package of work is being undertaken prior to an occupier being allocated for the adjacent development site which can only be utilised by companies supporting renewables activity and significant job creation.
“Given the economic challenges Aberdeen currently faces, it is vital we unlock the full potential of the new non-tidal, deep-water South Harbour and secure the City’s position as a leading location for investment in energy transition.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.10am on Monday, 26 January, we received a report of vandalism in the St Fitticks Road area of Aberdeen that happened over the weekend.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
In May 2025, a legal challenge to block the controversial development was rejected at the Court of Session, following years of campaigning by residents who have expressed concern over the loss of a vital green space.
In July, The Herald reported that Aberdeen City Council had voted to form a joint company consisting of the local authority and developers ETZ Ltd.
At the time, it was understood that the local authority would have the option to lease the land to the new company for up to 150 years.
Reacting to the news, Scott Herrett of the Friends of St Fittick’s Park told The Herald:
“Democracy in Aberdeen is currently broken. Councillors and their officers have shown contempt for people in Torry by prioritising the pockets of corporate executives over the people who elected them."
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Dr Adrian Crofton, clinical lead at the area’s medical practice, told The Herald in February last year that the park’s redevelopment would negatively affect the health of residents.
The average life expectancy of people living in Torry is 12 years lower than those living in Aberdeen’s affluent suburbs.
Crofton said: “The area adjacent to that park has the poorest health outcomes in the North of Scotland. The people here suffer from poor relative health to everyone else.
“The local schools are saying that children have a loss of sense of identity, and place and belonging. It’s hard to measure in numbers but the impact is real.
