Aberdeen City Gardens council meeting announced

A date for a special Aberdeen City Council meeting to discuss the controversial City Gardens project has been set.

The project aims to transform Aberdeen city centre, potentially spelling the end of the historic Union Terrace Gardens.

The meeting will be held at noon on Thursday 7 April.

Oil services tycoon Sir Ian Wood is pledging £50m of his own money towards the project.

Opinion has been divided over the proposals.

During a public consultation process, 55% of the respondents said they did not want the new square.

Design competition

Aberdeen councillors backed plans for the redevelopment last May.

It meant detailed plans being taken to the next stage.

That includes an international design competition.

If all goes to plan, the council hopes construction of the square will be completed by 2016.