A Victorian school in Aberdeen could still be saved from the bulldozers.
Council planners have now suggested holding a public hearing before plans to demolish Victoria Road School in Torry are progressed.
The 19th century building could be knocked down to make way for 62 homes.
The proposals, by Barratt North Scotland Limited, involve building 25% affordable housing and two large areas of public open space including a play area.
But more than 260 people have signed a petition against the proposal, and councillors will now meet to decide whether to push ahead.
In a surprise move ahead of Thursday’s meeting however, officers have recommended a public hearing be held before a final decision is made.
A document relating to the plan reads: “This application relates to land currently owned by Aberdeen City Council, and has attracted a significant body of public representation, which raises a wide range of material planning considerations, relevant to the planning authority’s consideration of the proposal against the development.”
Two blocks of flats are proposed to run parallel to Victoria Road with terraced housing to the north of the site.
The front facade of the flats looking on to Victoria Road will be built in a light grey granite.
The school was built in 1838 and closed its doors in 2008. A petition was launched last year to save the “heritage” building, and it gained more than 2,000 signatures.
But councillors voted 19 to 14 to demolish the school and sell the land.
Community groups have long objected to the proposals siting the increasing demand for education in the Torry area and the loss of a historic granite building.
A letter of objection from Torry Community Council secretary David Fryer to the committee reads: “We request that any planning application that involves the demolition of the Victoria Road school buildings should not be approved by the city council and that immediate plans are progressed to retain and restore these fine buildings, saving a unique piece of the
Victoria granite heritage that is all that remains of the architectural and civic fabric of old Torry.
“We remain incredibly disappointed that low grade proposals outlined… can be considered as sufficient reason to completely disregard planning policy.”