A petition urging Aberdeenshire Council to “rethink” its decision to scrap plans to build its HQ in Inverurie has gathered more than 500 signatures.
Last month councillors decided the main local authority office would remain at Woodhill House in Aberdeen and that Gordon House in Inverurie will be sold.
The Town Hall will instead be refurbished to provide a service point for customers living in the Garioch area.
However, objector George Petrie, spokesman for the 5c Is Not For Me campaign group which launched the petition, has blasted the council’s plans and said a full consultation should now be carried out.
He said: “So many people have been absolutely flabbergasted by the lack of consultation on this – so much of the council’s report was full of ifs and buts – we don’t think they have thoroughly thought it through.”
The new £13million plan was backed by 43 councillors, with 25 voting against the proposals.
It was further decided that car parking would be created at the Old Market Square School which had been earmarked for a community asset transfer to the Garioch Partnership for use as a third sector community hub.
However, Mr Petrie thinks it would be disastrous” for the town if the transfer is now scrapped.
He said: “The partnership submitted its first phase proposal six months ago and was working on the next phase.
“The Inverurie foodbank had been earmarked to move in, as they are currently split between two sites. There were plans for a credit union to take space too and dozens of other groups were lining up to use it.
“It would mean all the town’s vulnerable people could have a hub where all their needs could be met in one place – right in the town centre.”
The campaigners have also raised concerns about the “horrific” traffic congestion within the town centre as well as the possible loss of parking spaces behind the town hall if the plans go ahead – saying it would be “disastrous” for retailers in the town.
The petition has yet to be submitted to Aberdeenshire Council and last night a spokeswoman for the local authority said no comment could be made until a submission had been received.