Enhancing Local Greenspaces

ETZ Ltd is committed to a comprehensive programme of investment to improve the quality of and access to local greenspace. This includes a range of activities developed through engagement with the local community that aims to improve:

• Health and wellbeing opportunities in the area
• Civic access and play areas
• Biodiversity
• The restoration of East Tullos Burn
• The condition of St Fittick's church and supporting visitor information
• The local path network

Greenspace enhancement design proposals have been submitted to the Aberdeen City Council as part of a first phase of activity in St Fittick’s park. Find out more about our proposals below.

The Community & Coast team can be contacted at community@etzltd.com

Q&A with Joanne McLelland, Conservation Accredited Architect RIBA RIAS ARB and founder of of Eala Impacts

Through our Community & Coast programme, ETZ Ltd is fully committed to supporting communities located in proximity to the Energy Transition Zone by delivering sustainable and long-term investments to enhance local greenspaces and community amenities.

As an early step in this programme of activity, ETZ Ltd are working in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and Historic Environment Scotland to take forward site investigation works on St Fittick’s Church. The aim of these investigations is to identify conservation improvements that could be made to ensure this site of historical importance can best reflect and serve the heritage of local and wider communities for generations to come.

The church is owned by Aberdeen City Council. It was scheduled as a monument in 2002 by Historic Environment Scotland who oversee matters affecting all scheduled monuments.

Site investigation works were undertaken in September 2025 by a specialist conservation architect not-for-profit, archaeologist and Historic Environment Scotland to assess the condition of the stonework beneath the harling through a programme of inspection and sampling.

Initial Condition Assessment Outcomes

Q&A with Joanne McLelland, Conservation Accredited Architect RIBA RIAS ARB and founder of EALA Impacts CIC, who is leading the investigation works at St Fittick’s Church that took place in September under the supervision of Historic Environment Scotland. 

What were the aims of the investigations? “The small opening up works aimed to confirm the condition of the stone behind the cement harling. This was so we could identify the work required to repair the church and inform the broader Scheduled Monument Consent.”

What were the key findings? “The most exciting find was that the some of the lime ‘tec’ coat pointing – the lime mortar closest to the surface – was still intact. This is mortar from masons hundreds of years ago, and it’s always great to find material this old. Alongside this, we found that some of the stone was worse than we expected, and some was better, but across the piece what we had assumed would be needed was about right.”

Why are these conservation works important?  “St Fittick’s is a Scheduled Monument and helps to tell the story of the community around it. Sadly, the use of cement in the harling in the 20th century has led to the stone structure deteriorating and if that isn’t attended to, over time, it could be lost completely. This is a great opportunity to help it endure into the future.” 

Based on the recently completed investigation works a restoration plan for the church has been developed and submitted to Historic Environment Scotland. 

The Community & Coast team can be contacted at information@etzltd.com

Developing a Shared Landscape Vision

We have developed a 10-year Landscape Vision to frame future greenspace enhancements opportunities within and around the zone. It aims to inspire and encourage conversations that go on to shape and deliver exciting new collaborative landscape enhancement projects.