More than 1,000 people have now given their views on ambitious multi-million pound plans for Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens.
Council chiefs unveiled the £20million plans for the green space last week and launched a consultation, which ends today.
The proposals to modernise the park, put forward by London Olympic park outfit LDA Design, include a new entrance plaze, lift access from Union Terrace, a “halo” lighting feature and community gardens alongside the rail track.
But the week-long “public engagement exercise” carried out by the council has been criticised by the opposition SNP and Liberal Democrat groups at the town house, who would like the period extended.
Lib Dem Martin Greig said: “UTG was an issue that divided the city in two and any new proposal needs the support of the public before it proceeds.
“We need to hear as many views as possible and this period is simply too short.”
But the call was shot down last night by deputy council leader Marie Boulton who ruled out an extension, arguing there would be further chance for comments when a planning application is submitted.
She said: “We consulted very widely for the masterplan and incorporated elements of what people wanted there.
“We have set a very tight timeline for this project because people have been waiting for a long time to see something done with the gardens.”
Detailed designs are expected to go to full council in March. If approved, delivery work would start next year with a target completion date of autumn 2019.