Kevin Stewart MSP has written to Derek MacKay at the Scottish Government. Here is my letter and Derek MacKay's email address. I've heard that many people have already written to him ,so please add your comments. All is not lost. scottish.ministers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk and put in the subject heading FAO Derek MacKay Subject: Marischal Square Muse Plans: Aberdeen I understand that Kevin Stewart MSP has contacted you with regard to the decision by Aberdeen City Council to grant planning consent to the plans for Muse's proposed development of Marischal Square. I am one of thousands of Aberdonians who have indicated that they do not support this development on the grounds that it is too dense, too high and not in keeping with the surrounding area. It does not meet with local development policies, despite the view of the planning officer and the 23 Councillors who voted for it. Examples include: The Bon Accord Quarter Aberdeen Masterplan (3.6.12) - 'Broad Street is flanked by the contrasting forms of Marischal College to the east, and the tower block of St Nicholas House to its west. The Bon Accord Masterplan considered this area to be the civic heart of the City with the redevelopment of St Nicholas House site, the formation of a civic square in front of Marischal College, a new courtyard to the north of Provost Skene’s house and new pedestrian linkages between Marischal College and St Nicholas Kirk being key to improving the potential of this area. The formation of a civic square is crucial in providing an appropriate setting for the new City Council Head Quarters at Marischal College.' At the eleventh hour, the Council decided to separate the pedestrianisation of Broad Street from the Muse planning application. This amended proposal had not been seen by anyone. There is NO civic square. On page 5 “The Masterplan needs to ensure that shopping centres integrate fully with their surroundings. The scale of proposals is commensurate with a thriving modern city centre...... for example on Upperkirkgate they do not exceed three stories. At other parts of the masterplan building heights will not exceed five or six storeys.” The development is FIVE stories high at the Upperkirkgate and opposite Marischal College. Very unusually, the planning application for Marischal Square was not heard by the planning committee, but went straight to full council, where the whips were very evident on the Labour side. Unlike many recent proposed city centre projects, such as the redevelopment of Union Terrace Gardens, public opinion is clear. However, there is a huge chasm between the views of local people and those of the Labour-led City councillors. We are concerned that this group are about to inflict on the city another appalling development which is simply replacing another, St Nicholas House. We have been told that planning is not a party political process, but in Aberdeen it clearly is. I sat through the whole Council debate last week (08 October). To try to believe that, bearing in mind the obvious depth of feeling amongst the Aberdeen public, not one Labour Councillor would want to vote according to their constituents' views is simply not credible. Pride in the City is deteriorating as each unpopular planning decision is followed by another. The residents are appalled and cannot understand how this can be happening in our city. Where was the decision taken to change from the sympathetic concept of a civic square to a council-led remit for over development. Something happened and it’s not obvious who suggested it or why.I think at the very least we need more time to take a step back and look at the potential of a more joined up development, now that St Nicholas and BonAccord Centres are to be submitting separate plans. I have yet to be reassured of the Council's ability to prevent a conflict of interest in acting as developer and planning consent body, despite correspondence to various officials. People are very angry, you just need to read the local press to see this. Please call in the application, as at the very least, this will allow us more time to campaign against this monstrosity of a development which should not be allowed to proceed. A petition to reject the plans raised over 1300 signatures in three weeks. If you are interested in hearing the views of the public, please find them here: https://www.change.org/p/enterprise-planning-and-infrastructure-committee-reject-planning-permission-for-the-proposed-plans-for-the-marischal-square-development-application-number-140698-by-muse-developments/u/8385599 Regards