Developers behind plans to convert a listed building in Aberdeen city centre into student flats have been accused of trying to “overdevelop” the site.
Seaforth Developments want to turn 28 Gallowgate into 84 flats.
The firm submitted a detailed planning application last month, unveiling plans to include a common room, office, library, study, bike store, gym, cinema and roof terrace within the five-storey building.
But George Street Community Council are furious that they were not consulted on the proposals, and have warned they will be divisive among local residents.
Chairman Andy MacLeod said: “We deeply regret that they had not carried out a public consultation.
“There was neither a public meeting nor a presentation to the community council prior to the planning being submitted for this major planning development.
“This proposal is an over development for this site, it over dominates the site and adjacent buildings.
“The total proposed number of dwellings is far too high for this site.
“We feel the non-provision of disabled and worker parking is totally unacceptable.”
He argued that the development for mature students could create parking problems, and could cause problems among the community.
He said: “This development is aimed at mature students and family housing in that all of these flats will be self-supporting, there are no shared kitchens.
“We feel that this development may lead to a large number of extra cars being parked on surrounding streets and when developers are questioned on this their reply is usually that they leave the community to police their residents parking
legality.
“This approach is not acceptable to our community as we think it is divisive in pitting one section of the community against another.”
But a statement from Seaforth Developments defended the proposals, and said: “The application is a local development.
“There is not therefore a requirement to hold a community consultation event.”
It added that residents of neighbouring properties were all invited to an exhibition in Hilton Garden Inn in September.