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Revealed: side of landmark unseen by public for decades

Revealed: side of landmark unseen by public for decades

This is a rare view of one of Aberdeen’s oldest buildings – uncovered by major redevelopments under way around the former council headquarters, St Nicholas House.

Taken from the Upperkirkgate-Broad Street intersection, this view to the 469-year-old Provost Skene’s House has been on show for the first time since the headquarters were constructed in 1968.

Passers-by have been admiring the view for some time now, but it’s unlikely to last, as it could soon be lost amid the £107million transformation of Marischal Square.

Concerns have been growing about how much of Provost Skene’s House will be seen when the redevelopment plans for the area are completed.

Civic space totalling 14,500sqft is to be created around the architectural gem – but Dominic Fairlie, chairman of the Aberdeen Civic Society, believes the building could be “overshadowed” by the new developments.

He said: “The issue I have got is not that you can’t see Provost Skene’s House from the street – although that would be good – but that it’s overshadowed by other buildings.

“I think it could be worse, and I think it could be a lot better.

“It is a shame it (the plans) doesn’t respect Provost Skene’s House a little bit more.

“It would be a great shame to see it lost and it would be much better if it formed a bigger part.”

The plans for the development went on show to the public last Thursday.

The building – once the home of 17th-century Aberdeen provost Sir George Skene – has long been hidden from public view.

Developer Muse says Provost Skene’s House “will have a prominent role” under the plans for Marischal Square.

Mr Fairlie added: “I suppose we have always had concerns, and looking at the images still have concerns about the amount of development that’s proposed.

“I think it’s much higher than what Aberdeen is used to and because of that the building is overlooked.

“I’m not necessarily happy with it, but I think they have made attempts to adjust some of the earlier plans they had shown.”

A Muse spokesman said the need to have Provost Skene’s House highlighted in the development plans had been brought forward during public consultations held in October, November and December last year.

He said: “It’s a very important building, obviously. During all the consultations and exhibitions that have been held, the general public were very clear that they want a greater prominence for Provost Skene’s House, and that was reflected in the project.

“They have worked on the feedback and reflected that with the new visuals, which will be going to the council as part of the application.

“The plans for the buildings are open at street level to allow as much public access as possible and parts of the building will be seen via that.”

The plans for Marischal Square include 175,000sqft of office accommodation, 250 parking spaces, a 125-bed, four-star hotel and 42,900sqft of civic space along a pedestrianised Broad Street.

Muse will formally lodge its plans for Marischal Square by submitting a full planning application to Aberdeen City Council later this month.

A council spokeswoman said: “The historic property has always, apart from during a spell in the 1950s, been closely surrounded by other buildings.

“The developer, Muse, has taken on board views expressed by the public during the pre-planning application consultation process and has created significantly more space around the building in its proposals for the site.”

Provost Skene’s House is now closed as St Nicholas House is demolished.

The council spokeswoman added: “Aberdeen City Council retains firm ownership of Provost Skene’s House and the council will determine its future use.

“It is planned that the property will reopen as a museum. Money has been set aside in the Marischal Square budget for that purpose.”

Mr Fairlie added: “The council should be applauded for some of the work that they have done. The council has done some wonderful things – look at Marischal College.”