Local residents have joined the fight to save an historic Aberdeen University building from the wrecker’s ball.
Strathcona House has been earmarked for demolition to make way for the new £333million Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC).
Local residents have now voiced concerns over plans to demolish the 1930s building.
Charles Shepherd, planning officer of Bucksburn and Newhills Community Council, said he had been surprised by the strength of local feeling against the demolition plans.
He said: “Although the new exhibition centre will be state-of-the-art when it is constructed, in 20 or 30 years time it will probably be ready to be taken down to make way for another one.
“Strathcona House, on the other hand, was constructed in the 1930s, still looks magnificent and will remain so it if is maintained and incorporated into the new centre.
“We feel that Strathcona House deserves to be preserved in its entirety.”
The building, based at the university’s Rowett Estate in Bucksburn, first opened in January 1933 to house medical and science students.
Plans had initially been put forward to use the building, which is not listed, for “black tie” events at the AECC.
However, due to infrastructure changes, developers have now proposed that Strathcona House be removed to make way for further car parking spaces, as well as to prevent any “dilution of the design concept”.
It also emerged that Historic Scotland has received a listing proposal for the building.
An Historic Scotland spokesman said: “We are currently considering the case for listing this building and would expect to reach a decision in the near future.”
MSP Mark McDonald said: “I welcome the support that has been expressed by the community for the campaign to retain Strathcona house.
“I am aware of the attempts to have the building listed and have asked that Historic Scotland make a decision on this as quickly as possible given the timescale for the masterplan consultation.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said no decisions had yet been taken with regard to Strathcona House.
He added: “The draft AECC masterplan document is currently out for public consultation and people are welcome to submit their views.
“The six-week consultation period closes on Wednesday, July 1.”