LDA Design submitted a raft of refinements to its plans in November following feedback from the public and Aberdeen City Council planners had recommended the £20 million revamp for detailed planning approval.

Members of the council’s planning committee were due to cast their vote on the application today but councillors have agreed to carry out a site visit first which will take place in the next five working days.

LDA’s latest plans saw a realignment of a proposed new walkway, linking Union Street to the Gardens, to reduce the potential impact on any future development of the adjacent railway line.

Steps were also taken to provide further protection of the views and setting of the Robert Burns and Edward VII statues through redesign of the proposed buildings nearby.

The scheme refinements are in response to representations made about the detailed planning application submitted last year.

In making their recommendation, council planners insisted on a total of 21 planning conditions if the application be approved including the submission of a detailed tree protection plan, details of bus stop improvements and also more information on the provision of disabled parking bays on Union Terrace.