An Aberdeen MP has accused council chiefs of “civic vandalism” during the redevelopment of one of the city’s most historic buildings.
Aberdeen South member Callum McCaig expressed his fears the 16th-century Provost Skene’s House could be left a “soulless shell” after work is carried out to turn it into the Hall of Heroes museum honouring famous people with north-east connections.
The line-up, including the likes of Annie Lennox and Denis Law, was revealed yesterday with the multimillion-pound renovation well underway.
However, a planning application for listed building consent has since been lodged including installation of new doors, visitor barriers, heating and ventilation systems, lighting, power and alarms.
As of yesterday, there had been 15 written objections to the scheme, meaning it will probably have to be discussed by the council’s planning committee.
Provost Skene’s House – which dates back to 1545 – previously housed a series of period rooms, furnished to demonstrate how people lived in the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries.
SNP MP Mr McCaig said: “The City Council were very keen for feedback on what celebrity photos should be put up in Provost Skene House’s proposed ‘hall of heroes’, but they don’t seem to be seeking feedback on ripping out Grade A-listed features and destroying heritage interests.
“This is the ‘act now, think later’ behaviour we have come to expect from the Labour and Tory administration who are happy to carry out civic vandalism on the off chance they’ll get a photo opportunity out of it.
“The disrespect shown to a house which brings so much pride to the people of this city is incredibly disappointing.
“Revamping Provost Skene’s House needs to be a lot more respectful that ripping out the doors, putting holes in the walls, and throwing some paint over it.
“It would be tragic if that building became a soulless shell filled with touchscreen slideshows of what it used to look like, rather than preserving the features in it to see first-hand.
“I would urge residents across the city to feed into this planning application over the next month.”
However, deputy council leader, Marie Boulton, argued his intervention was “not helpful”.
She added: “I would suggest that Mr McCaig wanted to mothball it when he was in administration, so anything is better than that.”
