Aberdeen to get £50m make-over
2008-11-14
A Scottish businessman has proposed revamping Aberdeen's city centre to include a new square in a construction project which could be worth £50 million. Sir Ian Wood is hoping to get the green light to carry out construction work on the development and is currently waiting for a Scottish Enterprise-funded feasibility study to be returned.
Concerns have been raised over the impact the building project could have on other, smaller plans, such as the new Peacock Visual Arts centre.
Sir Ian says that if given the go-ahead, the development would aim to "give Aberdeen a vibrant new heart".
He says that the improvements would "reflect both the success of the region and its position as a leading Northern European city".
"I see this as the 'people's' square with something for everyone and how that square will be developed, both above and below ground, is open to public debate," he added.
First minister Alex Salmond said that he was looking forward to seeing the results of the feasibility study adding that he was "excited by the scale" of Sir Ian's vision.
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city.
