Marischal Square project materials not finalised

The type of building materials to be used for the Marischal Square development in Aberdeen have not yet been finalised.

Muse Developments was chosen to deliver the new £107m look for the site of the former Aberdeen City Council St Nicholas House headquarters.

The plan is for offices, restaurants and a hotel.

The specification of building materials should have been agreed before work started.

However Aberdeen City Council has agreed to give them some leeway.

Muse has now been given until September to tell the local authority what mix of concrete, glass and granite will be used.

'Principle of reasonableness'

An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: "The initial stages of development have started on Marischal Square but work on the buildings has not yet commenced.

"Planning authorities are required to exercise the principle of 'reasonableness' when considering whether to use their discretionary enforcement powers.

"In this instance, it was judged that these initial works should be allowed to continue and that details of materials and finishes will be presented by the developers in due course."

A Muse Developments spokesperson said: "As has been the case throughout the process, we are working closely with Aberdeen City Council on every aspect of the Marischal Square development.

"We are working towards a September deadline to agree the final details on some of the external materials being used on a project which remains on course for a July, 2017 completion."

In 2011, more than 1,000 council staff vacated the 14-storey St Nicholas House building, erected in 1968, for the newly-refurbished Marischal College building.