Plans to convert the site of a former Aberdeen snooker club into hundreds of new student flats will be debated by councillors next week.
Property developer, Downing Students (Aberdeen), has applied for planning permission to build a 374-unit block on John Street near the Woolmanhill roundabout and halls of residence.
The site was once the Ambassador Snooker Club which closed its doors in 2009.
Last year, Union Hanover Securities drew up proposals for a £35 million luxury hotel at the same location, but was eventually forced to abandon the scheme.
Next Thursday, the council’s planning development management committee will meet to discuss the proposal for the seven-storey block with council officers recommending approval.
A report to the committee reads: “The proposed building would be relatively large, reaching a maximum height of 23 metres (75 feet) in the tower element. The proposed building would be arranged in a U-shaped footprint, around a courtyard area, which would be open to the west.
“The redevelopment of the site for student accommodation is considered to be a suitable use, compatible with neighbouring land uses and is designed, sited and serviced in a way that would maintain the amenity of the surrounding area.
“It [will] represent a positive enhancement of the townscape that makes good use of highly accessible, vacant and unsightly city centre brownfield land.”
However, the application has attracted criticism from some including George Street Community Council and Aberdeen Civic Society.
Their member, Dominic Fairley, responded: “The development is too dense, having too many floors and little open space. The whole proposal is for a development that is too bulky compared with adjacent buildings.
“In addition, the landscape area shown on the application is nothing other than a bit left over after roads and planning decisions. It is not a good solution.”