Updated plans for the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) are to go on display this week. New artists' impressions of the centre reveal the progress made by the development team following a consultation exercise in May. The designs are of both the interior and exterior of the proposed facility, while plans for a mixed-use development at the Bridge of Don site now include two residential-led options.

The local authority has said a green energy centre, which would provide enough power for the new AECC and potentially the wider area, has been proposed for the Bucksburn site, as well as the new multi-use exhibition and conference centre, a 200-bed four-star hotel, parking, and parkland.

At the Bridge of Don site, the first option includes business and retail space, while the second proposes a household waste recycling centre. Both options involve residential development and an enhanced 1,000-space Park and Ride.

This series of public consultations will be launched by Henry Boot Developments, Aberdeen City Council's development partner for the project, later today (11 September).


Nick Harris, Henry Boot Developments regional manager, said: "We've reached an exciting stage in the project and I'm looking forward to showing off our revised proposals for a new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, and for the site at Bridge of Don.

"We've listened closely to the many views expressed during the first round of consultations and I think people will be very interested to see our updated images and plans and to see the changes we've made."

Councillor Angela Taylor commented: "The proposed redevelopment of the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre is identified as a key project in our agreed Strategic Infrastructure Plan, which focuses on the development of the enabling infrastructure needed to realise Aberdeen's aspirations by ensuring sustainable economic growth.

"It will help to drive Aberdeen's continued sustainable economic growth and development by securing more and bigger business, conference, and entertainment events for the city.

"I would urge everyone who can to take the opportunity to go along to one of the exhibitions, speak to the Henry Boot Developments team, find out more about the updated plans and tell the developer what you think of them.

The events will take place:



• Thursday 11 September – 12pm to 8pm at Jesmond Centre, Bridge of Don.

• Friday 12 September – 12pm to 8pm at Beacon Centre, Bucksburn.

• Saturday 13 September – 12pm to 5pm at Aberdeen Art Gallery, Schoolhill.

• Monday 15 to Friday 26 September – The designs will be on show at Marischal College.



The closing date for comments on the designs is Saturday 27 September 2014. More information can be found here.

(JP/MH)