The venue, which was rendered redundant once the P&J Live arena opened in 2019, has long been earmarked for redevelopment.

Demolition of the main arena was completed in 2020, after work was initially delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A section of the complex closest to Ellon Road, including its tower, was bought by King’s Community Church last year and is also now home to Aberdeen North foodbank.

Proposals to convert the rest of the area into a housing development were submitted six years ago after it emerged the venue would shut its doors.

Now permission has been granted in principle for developer Henry Boot Developments Ltd to redevelop the exhibition site, subject to conditions, The Press and Journal reports.

When completed, the project will include approximately 498 homes, as well as a recycling facility and a park and ride.

Bridge of Don councillor John Reynolds said the redevelopment of the site would “get some life back” in the area.

He said: “I am glad something is happening there, and I will be even more pleased when the development starts.

“At the moment the site is dead space. The quicker it happens, the better it will be for the rest of the community.”

On notifying the developer of the approval, Aberdeen City Council’s planning development manager Daniel Lewis described the proposals as “acceptable”.

However, his support came with the condition that financial contributions from the developer would go towards schools, road improvements, healthcare, sports and recreation facilities locally.

Some of the other conditions attached to the planning permission include the improvement of safe walking and cycling infrastructure and final approval of the design by council planners.

More than £2 million in developer contributions is to be provided, with more than £450,000 being put towards improvements at Scotstown Primary, £510,000 for healthcare and £900,000 for community facilities.