Aberdeen City Council approved the business case for the proposals by 21 votes to 20.

Appointed to lead the design of the development back in September, LDA’s plan features a walkway from Union Street, a cafe and a staircase from Rosemount Viaduct.

Under recently revised proposals, the central lawn would be kept as a “flexible space” for large-scale gatherings and events, while a new “entrance plaza” and cafe would be created opposite His Majesty’s Theatre to provide a venue for smaller activities.

A “grand staircase” would be reinstated as part of the new routes into the gardens from Rosemount Viaduct.

The new accessible walkway into the gardens would also include lift access into the lower level of the gardens, through an entrance building on Union Street.

Lift access would also be provided from Union Terrace into the upper level of the gardens, while new disabled parking spaces would be created near the walkway routes.

Councillors voted against Sir Ian Wood’s £140m vision for Union Terrace Gardens in 2012.

The City Garden Project was supported by slightly over half of the 85,000 people who took part in a consultation on the proposal, but politicians rejected the business case.