Developers are seeking to drop a requirement that at least half the ground floor of a major city centre development is taken up by shops.
Muse Developments say they need more flexibility to “maximise current market conditions” for the Marischal Square project.
It has lodged plans with Aberdeen City Council to vary a condition placed on the appplanning permission for the Broad Street Site.
The stipulation currently means that at least 50% of the commercial units on the ground floor of must be occupied by retail outlets.
In a supporting statement, Muse’s advisors Marwick Planning argue that by removing the requirement, the major development would become more attractive to a wider variety of businesses and increase the amount of visitors to the site.
The statement said: “In order to maximise current market conditions, flexibility is required to attract occupiers into the Marischal Square development.
“The types of occupiers that have interest at this location, and those that have already signed up, are predominately leisure type uses.
“They would create a footfall and activate the frontages throughout the day and into the evening, ensuring a well activated and safe space within and outwith the professional hours of 9am to 5pm.”
The statement added: “The proposal will support development plan policies by helping to deliver the vision for the city centre as a major regional centre, serving a city-wide or regional market and providing a vibrant mix of uses, buildings and public spaces which will enhance the city centre both during the working day and at night.
“The location will draw people into the area throughout the day and evening, providing amenities for workers and ensuring a vibrant, safe city centre in the evenings.”
The ground floor of Marischal Square has been split up into seven units, totalling around 28,187ft of usable space.
In November last year, permission was granted for pubs at the site, allowing for the drink and restaurant chain All Bar One to occupy a unit.
Dominic Fairlie, chairman of the Aberdeen Civic Society, said: “It depends a little bit on what use will be put in.
“If it’s a use that will help to generate footfall, and interest in the street, then it’s OK, but if it’s a little bit more uninteresting or stale in its use and it doesn’t generate footfall then that could certainly be a potential issue.”
