Countesswells
{{Use British English|date=September 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Countesswells
| scots_name =
| local_name =
| country = Scotland
|static_image= Countesswells - Cultsburn Park.jpg
|static_image_caption= Cultsburn Park in Countesswells
|pushpin_map= Scotland Aberdeen
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Aberdeen City council area
| population =
| population_ref =
| population_density =
| os_grid_reference = NJ872051
| coordinates = {{coord|57.136675|-2.2125404|display=inline,title}}
| post_town = ABERDEEN
| postcode_area = AB
| postcode_district = AB15
| dial_code = 01224
| constituency_westminster = Aberdeen South
| unitary_scotland = Aberdeen City
| lieutenancy_scotland = Aberdeen
| constituency_scottish_parliament = Aberdeen South and North Kincardine (Scottish Parliament constituency)
| website = [http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk aberdeencity.gov.uk]
}}
Countesswells is an area of Aberdeen, Scotland.
Construction
In 2014, planning permission was granted for 3,000 homes in the area.{{Cite news |date=2014-08-14 |title=Approval recommended for 3,000 new Aberdeen homes |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-28790425 |access-date=2022-06-29}}{{Cite news |date=2014-10-08 |title=Approval for 3,000 new homes at Countesswells in Aberdeen |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-29542193 |access-date=2022-06-29}} However, the development was initially delayed after the developers and land owners could not agree on the funding for schools and infrastructure.{{Cite web |title=Aberdeen councillors reject special Countesswells planning conditions |url=https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/aberdeen-councillors-reject-special-countesswells-planning-conditions |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Scottish Housing News |language=en}} In April 2016, Stewart Milne Group stated that it expected to start work on the development immediately.{{Cite web |last=McCulloch |first=Scott |date=2016-04-01 |title=Stewart Milne Group secures £86m government guarantee for Aberdeen development |url=http://www.insider.co.uk/company-results-forecasts/stewart-milne-group-secures-86m-9874584 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=businessInsider |language=en}} By November 2021, 900 homes were either completed or under construction.{{Cite web |last=Smulian |first=Mark |date=2021-11-26 |title=Major development collapses into administration |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/financial/major-development-collapses-into-administration-26-11-2021/ |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Construction News |language=en}}
Facilities
There is a Sainsbury's{{Cite web |title=Sainsbury's opens new Aberdeen Store |url=https://www.retailsector.co.uk/621613-sainsburys-opens-new-aberdeen-store/ |language=en}} and a primary school,{{Cite web |title=Pupils celebrate official opening of new Countesswells School |url=https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/news/pupils-celebrate-official-opening-new-countesswells-school |language=en}} along with a number of vacant shop units - the NHS has been granted planning permission for one of these.{{Cite web |title=Planning - application summary |url=https://publicaccess.aberdeencity.gov.uk/online-applications/caseDetails.do?caseType=Application&keyVal=R9T7TEBZM6Q00 |language=en}} A pharmacy has applied for a licence for one of the units which was rejected by the local NHS board after pharmacies in Cults and Kingswells said it would lose them business {{cite web |title=Form A(1) |url=https://www.nhsgrampian.org/globalassets/foidocument/foi-public-documents1---all-documents/countesswells_application_form_a1_20_jan_22.pdf |language=en}} - this is awaiting appeal as of August 2023.{{Cite web |title=Current Pharmacy Applications |url=https://www.nhsgrampian.org/work-with-us/professionals/nhs-grampian-pharmacy-practice-committee/current-pharmacy-applications/ |language=en}} There are a number of empty commercial units both beside the school and towards where the planned town-centre will eventually be.
=Cults Burn Park=
Cults Burn Park is currently partially constructed and will eventually run through most of the development.{{Cite web |title=Cults Burn Park Optimised Environments |url=https://op-en.co.uk/projects/cults-burn-park |language=en}}
=Forest Access=
There are three wooded areas around Countesswells.
To the West is Countesswells Forest,{{Cite web |title=Countesswells Forest |url=https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/countesswells |language=en}} which was heavily damaged in a major winter storm.
To the South is Foggieton.{{Cite web |title=Foggieton |url=https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/foggieton |language=en}}
To the East is the wooded area at the back of Hazlehead Park.
Transportation
There are two bus routes to Countesswells; one via First Aberdeen, the other via Stagecoach using route number 4.{{Cite web |title=stagecoach-announces-revisions-for-aberdeenshire-routes |url=https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/stagecoach-announces-revisions-for-aberdeenshire-routes-285997/ |language=en}} In July 2022, service 15 was introduced by First Aberdeen. It runs from Countesswells to Balnagask via Aberdeen city centre.{{Cite web |last=Milne |first=Ellie |title=First Aberdeen announce shake-up of services to make bus journeys faster |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/4446192/first-aberdeen-announce-shake-up-of-services-to-make-bus-journeys-faster/ |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Press and Journal |language=en-GB}}