More than 500 people have joined forces to oppose a revised application to demolish an historic Aberdeen school and transform it into housing.
The 560 objections to the Barratt Scotland plans for Torry’s former Victoria Road primary school is already more than double the number of 266 which was previously received when the initial plans were withdrawn in June.
But the housing giant has now brought a new application to the table, arguing it would make use of “new and existing” granite at the 19th-century facility.
The school was built in 1838 and closed its doors in 2008. A petition was launched last year to save the “heritage” building, which gained more than 2,000 signatures.
However, councillors subsequently voted 19 to 14 to demolish the school and sell the land.
The Torry Heritage Group and Torry Community Council have maintained the site should be renovated and brought back into use as the third primary facility for the area.
Councillors on the authority’s education committee will meet tomorrow to discuss where the £20million new primary will be situated.
David Fryer, secretary of Torry Heritage Society, said: “The fact we have already double the number of objections really shows how strongly people feel about this.
“The objections are coming from all over the city and even outwith.
“We have always said that the council should look at preserving this granite school and indeed using it as a school.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: “We can confirm that, due to the number of objections received and the council’s interest in the application as land owner, members will consider whether or not to hold a public hearing in advance of determining the application.
“A report will be submitted to the planning development management committee seeking that members determine whether a hearing is to take place.”
Douglas McLeod, regional director at Barratt Scotland, responded: “We have been working closely with the local community and council planners to ensure everyone has the chance to share their views.”
Mr McLeod added he believed the proposal took into consideration “all the feedback provided” previously.