Council backing for a new £333million concert venue in Bucksburn was hailed as a boost for the north-east economy yesterday.
The new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) is expected to be completed in 2018, in advance of the Offshore Exhibition the following year.
Alongside a 12,500-capacity concert venue, plans for the site in Bucksburn include two hotels, an energy centre and parking amenities.
The developers, Henry Boot, earlier this month claimed that the proposal could generate more than 3,000 jobs and bring millions of pounds into Aberdeen.
Their report also forecast that the project would generate £109million for the city every year after its completion and that, from 2022 onwards, 603,000 people would visit the AECC on an annual basis.
Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing hailed the backing from the planning committee as a sign that the city was open for business.
She said: “This development forms a key part of this council’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan and will allow the city to attract bigger concert names and more major international events and conferences to the north-east region.
“Investment in this type of infrastructure project is also an important part of the emerging regional economic strategy to safeguard the future prosperity of the north-east area.
“It is a clear statement that Aberdeen remains open for business and very much open to new private investment.”
Ramsay Milne, the convener of the planning committee which backed the plans 13 votes to four, said the new development would make the city more competitive.
However, Cllr Martin Greig expressed disappointment about the removal of the historic Strathcona House to make way for the new building.
Mr Greig, who voted against the motion, said: “The demolition of Strathcona House is a serious loss for our local history.
“There is no acceptable reason to go against the initial promise to retain this important building.
“The development would have been far more attractive and distinct if they had made an effort to incorporate the whole of the structure into what will be a bland set of anonymous concrete blocks.”