The head of Aberdeen Civic Society yesterday appealed to council planning chiefs to “cherish” the architectural heritage of the city.
Dominic Fairlie, chairman of the conservation body, said in his presentation to the planning development management committee that Aberdonians were “lucky” to have inherited beautiful buildings such as Marischal College.
He said his members were happy to see the former St Nicholas House brought to the ground, and insisted the group welcomed investment in the city and was not against development.
However, Mr Fairlie said the proposed design for the £107million Marischal Square was “too big, too boxy” and would “overpower” the surrounding A-listed buildings, including Provost Skene’s House.
He also suggested that the council, as landowner, may be seeking to “extract as much profit as it can get away with” from the site.
Under the terms of the deal, Muse effectively leases the land from the council for a period of 35 years, before it returns to the control of the local authority.
Mr Fairlie added: “Continued development needs to take place, but at the same time, we must cherish our architectural heritage.”
Councillors also heard from Aberdeen City Centre Community Council chairman Dustin Macdonald, who said the development currently proposed was of a “much bigger scale” than members of his group were originally led to believe, particularly on the Upperkirkgate side.
Meanwhile Ken Hutcheon from Queens Cross Harlaw Community Council argued the designers had “thrown away a great opportunity” for the site and have instead proposed a “boring set of square buildings”.
Several individual members of the public were also given the opportunity to have their say, and made impassioned pleas to councillors to protect the heritage of the city and the stunning views of Marischal College and Provost Skene’s House that locals have enjoyed since St Nicholas House was demolished.
Concerns were also raised about the nature of the consultation process, and whether the council could have involved the public at an earlier stage before the nature of the development was agreed.
Speaking afterwards, Lorna McHattie, one of five people who made presentations against the application, said: “I think there was a consensus to what people were saying – no glass boxes, keep it level, let us see the other buildings and keep things in proportion.
“It is frustrating, because I’m not so sure that it is not already a done deal. I think it should be referred to the Scottish Government, there is a conflict of interest for the council.”
No decision was taken at yesterday’s hearing. A report will be prepared by officers to the next committee meeting on September 25, at which point a decision is due to be taken.
It is considered likely that the plans will be referred to the full council for a final ruling.