Aberdeen City Councillors have given approval for 'masterplan' documents which will guide the development of a new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) at Bucksburn.

The plans will also guide the development of a Household Waste Recycling Centre at the current AECC complex at the Bridge of Don site.

In addition, councillors approved revisions made to the planning frameworks following responses made during a six-week public consultation period.

The new AECC at Rowett North is to be the 'centrepiece' of a business and leisure-led mixed use development, providing an increase on the available exhibition space at the existing AECC and doubling the seated entertainment area to a capacity of 10,000.

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Developer Henry Boot confirmed in March 2015 it would build the new £333m exhibition centre, along with two hotels and a clean energy power station, in Dyce.

Among the changes to the Rowett North masterplan agreed by the committee were improvements to the site layout, architectural and landscape design.

The requirement for an underpass and path connecting to the Newhills area has been strengthened within the framework document.

The framework for the existing Bridge of Don site will also include revisions relating to the steps and processes that are required prior to a final decision of the location and provision of a planned Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Councillor Neil Cooney, said: "This represents a major step forward in the plans for a new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, which is a key development identified within the City Council's Strategic Infrastructure Plan.

"This is a very exciting project, and I think it is important to note that no-one as objected in principle to the development of the site for a new AECC."

Planning applications for both sites are due to be considered by the Planning Development Management Committee at a later date.

(LM/CD)