Lived-in feel for heart of the city

On the subject of feet-dragging, a laudable plan to encourage thousands of extra people to set up home in the centre of Aberdeen is finally moving forward, but not as fast as some would like.

It will be two years by the time a report commissioned by Aberdeen City Council is presented later this year by property specialists. Hopefully, that will give the project the impetus it deserves.

In principle, the plan to boost the citycentre population to almost 20,000 – an increase of 3,000 – has its attractions.

In between the usual busy weekly and seasonal fluctuations, the heart of the city often looks a bit dead, as though it needs some new life breathed into it.

While trying not to state the obvious, more people would bring a warmer livedin feel and attract more varied businesses.

Without wishing to tempt fate, surely more residents equates to more community spirit and civic pride in the centre of Aberdeen – in theory, anyway – so that would tie in nicely with the city’s transformational masterplan aspirations, which are now taking shape.