Leading Aberdeen councillors will not attend today’s demonstration against the plans for Marischal Square.
Council leader Jenny Laing, finance convener Willie Young and planning convener Ramsay Milne were invited by campaigners to be quizzed at the event outside Marischal College at 1pm.
However, the trio have asked five of the scheme’s fiercest critics to a meeting at the council headquarters for discussions next week.
Yesterday, Mr Young reaffirmed that the council expected Muse to “deliver” on the planning application.
He added that new images of the plans released yesterday depicted “a true image of what the development will be”.
Unveiling the images, Steve Turner, Scottish director of Muse Developments, said there had been “an extremely encouraging reaction to the Marischal Square development” from a number of leading businesses seeking to establish a presence in Aberdeen for the first time.
“This just underlines our commitment to the project,” he said.
“We believe Marischal Square is a fantastic business location which will bring forward the much needed regeneration of this part of Aberdeen, with Marischal College at its heart.
“These businesses have been attracted by the unique combination of the quality of the development and its key location right in the heart of the city. By getting involved on site they will be bringing new jobs and opportunities to the area.”
He said nine proposals had been received from major operators interested in the seven bar/restaurant spaces in the development, adding: “That in itself is a testament to the calibre of this development and the enduring appeal of Aberdeen as a business destination.
“Add in the fact that we have already attracted the Residence Inn by Marriott four-star hotel to Marischal Square and you can see why we and our partners remain confident that the project will work for Aberdeen and help regenerate the city-centre area in line with the Council’s wider Masterplan ambitions.
“There will be 300 construction jobs available throughout the construction phase which starts next month.”