A major new student accommodation development for Aberdeen could be given the seal of approval by councillors this week.
The proposals, for 341 student flats at the city’s Triple Kirks, have been on the table since last year.
The 13-storey project would encompass 175 studio flats and 166 en-suite rooms.
Developers Dandara also plan to include a cafe, gym and various activity rooms in the £20million scheme.
Dandara bought the derelict Triple Kirks site from the Stewart Milne Group, which had secured planning permission for an office development in August 2011.
However, in March of this year, the firm announced it had changed its plans because of an over-provision of commercial office space in the Granite City.
Last night Dustin MacDonald, chairman of Aberdeen City Centre Community Council, welcomed the news the plans were progressing and said: “Right now the city is suffering because of the downturn in oil and gas, students bring in money, especially if they are coming from overseas. They also quite often find work and stay in the city once their degrees are over.”
Meanwhile, councillors will also be urged to approve proposals which will mean 145 student flats are built in Constitution
Street, on the former Matalan site.
The plans have been submitted by Unite Students and would provide room for 600 residents.
The existing Matalan building would be demolished to make way for the flats.
Unite says it hopes to address the “current shortfall” of facilities in the area.
Asif uz Zaman, senior design and planning manager for the organisation, added: “The site is also perfectly located, being a short walk to both Aberdeen University and North East Scotland College, as well as being close to transport links which allow travel across the city and beyond.”
A number of applications for student accommodation developments across the city have been tabled in the past year.
Proposals for flats in King’s Crescent, the Gallowgate, John Street, and Holburn Street and Froghall Terrace have all been submitted in the past year.
Meanwhile a development at Powis Place is already under way.
Last month, Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart called for a moratorium on student flats in the city.
However, finance convener Willie Young said the authority would be breaking the law if it imposed any planning ban.
The planning development management committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the proposals.