Aberdeen City Centre Community Council has voiced concerns about the viability of a major new development after civic square plans were thrown into doubt.
It emerged on Tuesday night that proposals to create a pedestrianised zone as part of the £107million Marischal Square scheme have been sidelined.
Councillors are due to vote on the office, hotel and retail project for the former local authority headquarters at a meeting on Wednesday.
Planners have recommended approval, but told elected members the application will not include closing-off Broad Street to traffic, as was previously planned.
The Labour-led council administration has not ruled out the car-free zone, but said that element of the scheme would be dealt with separately if and when it comes before elected members.
Dustin Macdonald, chairman of Aberdeen City Centre Community Council, said his group had been under the impression from the outset that the Muse Development plans for the old St Nicholas House site must include the pedestrian area plans.
He said: “From a community point of view, if they don’t close-off Broad Street, where then do we get our civic square?
“It is worrying that it is not being considered with the application.
“We have said all along that offices are needed, but people will not come into town just to see offices.
“It may draw people in during the day for work but it will not draw people in for leisure.
“We need to bring that area to life, and that won’t just be by opening cafes, if there is no civic space, what else is there for the public?
“They will really be missing a trick if they don’t go ahead with this, and don’t provide something that is going to deliver the civic square they promised.”
A report to the full council meeting from head of planning Margaret Bochel says that planning permission would not be required to create a pedestrian zone in Broad Street.
She said any work would be undertaken by the council, as roads authority, rather than by Muse Developments, under the Town and County Planning (Scotland) Order 1992.
Finance convener Willie Young said last night that the Labour-led administration “remained committed” to the civic square plan.