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“Build it and they will come” plans unveiled for new £333 million exhibition centre

Residents will have the final chance to have their say on the proposed new AECC
Residents will have the final chance to have their say on the proposed new AECC

The spectacular vision for the building which would replace the ageing Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre will go on show to the public for the first time today.

A site at Bucksburn has been earmarked for the £33million complex – which could be open by 2018.

The city council is launching a third round of consultation on the project after elected members backed the masterplan and business case earlier this month.

Henry Boot Developments was selected as preferred developer of the ambitious scheme in November 2013.

Artist impressions of the new AECC
Artist impressions of the new AECC

The public are now being given a final opportunity to make their views on the project known before a planning application is submitted.

Last night, council finance convener Willie Young said the new 10,000-seat venue could help lure the biggest names in music to the north east, predicting: “If we build it, they will come.”

He said: “I think we will be able to compete with the SECC (in Glasgow) and the Edinburgh conference centre.

“We want this to be a good Scottish facility that can bring top names here and I think that’s the great thing for the city of Aberdeen.”

If plans for the replacement for the existing AECC at Bridge of Don are backed, construction is expected to start by mid-2016.

Artist impressions of the new AECC
Artist impressions of the new AECC

A green energy plant would provide heat and power for the new building and the three hotels included in phase one of the proposals.

The remainder of the Bucksburn site would be developed to include offices, parking and parkland.

Updates to the design include the shape of the arena, which has changed from rectangular to horseshoe, improving visibility from all seats.

The proposed final development option for the Bridge of Don site which would be vacated shows a mixed-use scheme comprising housing, business and commerce, a recycling centre and an enhanced 1,000 space park and ride.

The local authority currently subsidies the existing venue at Bridge of Don to the tune of about £1.55million a year.

Artist impressions of the new AECC
Artist impressions of the new AECC

The predicted level of income will mean the cost of the new facility would be an average of £100,000 per year over a 35-year lease.

After the lease has expired, the council would be able to purchase the site for £1.

The consultation events will run from 10am-6pm today and tomorrow at the Upper Mall of the Bon Accord Centre.

From Monday, March 30 to Friday, April 10, the exhibition will be on display in Marischal College.

The events will mark the culmination of a year-long consultation programme which has included exhibitions, meetings and opportunities for comments to be posted online.

To date more than 2,000 people and organisations have been involved in the process.

Artist impressions of the new AECC
Artist impressions of the new AECC

Henry Boot Developments’ Scottish director, Nick Harris, said: “Our proposals are advancing for the specifics of the new facility, particularly the building.

“We’ve had some good constructive responses and hopefully people see that we’ve taken them on.”

Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing said: “It’s clear from what we’ve seen that the developers have updated and made changes based on what the public have said.

“When the council made its unanimous decision we realised the importance of the exhibition centre to the economy of Aberdeen and the north-east region.

“Hotel accommodation is always in short supply in Aberdeen, that’s the feedback that we get, so I think that’s an important part of the development too.

“A new AECC is a key element of the business infrastructure needed to promote Aberdeen as a world energy city and the energy capital of Europe.

“The public have an opportunity to help guide the development of this exciting and crucial new facility by making their views on the plans known to Henry Boot Developments.”

She added that a decision on who would run the new centre when it was operational would be made by the full council after construction had taken place.