Plans to create a 30-mile "corridor" in the north-east of Scotland to attract energy companies have taken a major step forward.
"Energetica", as the concept has been named, would run from the Aberdeen Science and Energy Park on the outskirts of the city to Peterhead. The aim is to attract dynamic organisations that would stimulate synergies, innovation, research and development, and create a showcase for the energy industry.
Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Forum (ACSEF) has now appointed Gillespies, one of the UK's foremost environmental design firms, to produce a masterplan and development framework and report on the potential economic benefits of Energetica.
The task for Gillespies is to produce a masterplan to inform and influence the Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan, which will be issued for consultation at the end of March 2008.
The A90 corridor to the north of the city has important economic development infrastructure, and as well as the Science and Energy Park it contains the Aberdeen University OceanLab, oil and gas supply companies in Ellon and Peterhead, Peterhead Port - the north-east's premier deepwater harbour - and Peterhead Power Station.
The masterplan would provide land for business use as well as for educational, retail, residential and leisure use - the proposed Trump International golf development would fall within the proposed corridor.
Rita Stephen, development manager for ACSEF, said: "Energetica presents an exciting opportunity to secure Aberdeen City and Shire's position as a global energy hub."
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