A key part of a plan to breathe new life into Aberdeen city centre has taken another step forward.
The Station Gateway – which aims to improve links between rail services, ferries and shopping centres – forms part of the 25-year masterplan for the city.
This week, the planning, design and development principles for the project – which focuses on the railway station, Union Square, Guild Street, Atholl House and the Trinity Centre – were approved by the communities, housing and infrastructure committee.
The project aims to improve links between public transport, cycling and pedestrian access in the area and could also mean changes to the Guild Street station including expansion of the concourse to north and moving taxi drop-offs to South College Street.
The plans also put forward the idea of “commercial development” above the railway station, with a 107,639sq ft floorspace for a hotel above the station concourse.
Councillors approved a draft development brief which will be shared with stakeholders next week.
Results of the consultation will be presented to the communities housing and infrastructure committee on March 15.
The move comes after plans were made to develop Atholl House with a hotel, student accommodation, shops and restaurants earlier this month.
Committee convener Councillor Neil Cooney said: “The Station Gateway is an important part of connectivity for people getting into, and around, the city centre in the future.
“We want a city which is easy to get around in and the Station Gateway as part of the masterplan will make a big difference for both residents and visitors to Aberdeen.”