Work is due to start work next month on the construction of a new £55 million urban village on the 25-acre site of the former Donside Paper Mill in the Tillydrone area of Aberdeen.

Consisting of 283 homes, the Donside Urban Village is being developed by Chap Construction in partnership with Tenants First Housing Co-operative and Langstane Housing Association.


Viewing the site of the Donside Urban Village during a summer downpour are (centre) Alex Neil, Minister for Housing and Communities, with (right) Douglas Thomson, Managing Director of Chap Construction and (left) Sandy Murray, Chief Executive of Tenants First Housing Co-operative.

Douglas Thomson, Managing Director of Chap Construction commented:
“Donside Urban Village Is the largest housing development in Aberdeen in the past five years. We have been working with Tenants First for some time to bring this project to the point where we can start construction.

“A flagship development for the City of Aberdeen. we are convinced that the significance of Donside Urban Village spread well beyond this derelict brownfield site. We envisage it being the catalyst for a wider regeneration in the Tillydrone area of the city.

“Donside Urban Village is also a significant boost for our business and, in particular, it will allow Chap to maintain its long-standing commitment to construction training.”

Making the most of its riverbank setting, Donside Urban Village has been designed to reflect a traditional North-east townscape. A grid of streets spreads out from the main village square, connecting with the various neighbourhoods in the village.

A riverside walkway will connect with the existing paths from Brig o’Balgownie through Seaton Park and a riverside bistro is expected to be popular with residents and visitors.

With a mix of housing from flats through to town houses, the Donside Urban Village is planned as a sustainable community, with business start-up units, office space, shops and a children’s nursery planned for the village.

The construction materials for the village have been selected for their low energy usage and the homes will also feature particularly high levels of insulation. The developers are also considering a small scale hydro-electric plant on the old mill lade, which would produce around twice the electricity needed for the village.



Of the 283 homes planned for the Donside Urban Village, 144 will be homes for rent, 65 will be sold on a shared-equity basis. The remaining 74 homes will be built for outright sale and Chap Homes have entered into a Joint Venture Development Partnership for the private housing for sale in the Donside Urban Village.

On June 28, the Scottish Government confirmed its commitment of £21 million to build 209 homes for rent and shared equity as part of the development.

Construction is planned over a 40-month programme, with anticipated completion during 2013.

Tags: Chap, tenants first