The housebuilder is set to spend £36 million transforming the site of the old Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC).

Planners have granted permission in principle for a total of 333 homes on the wasteland where the city’s main arena once stood.

The AECC became redundant in 2019 when P&J Live was built near Aberdeen International Airport.

Demolition of the AECC’s main arena – which played host to some of the biggest names in showbiz between 1985 and 2019 – was carried out in 2021, after work was initially delayed due to the pandemic.

Planning documents confirm that Persimmon Homes is now the owner of the full site following a nationwide marketing effort by joint agents Savills and J&E Shepherd.

It is promising a “high-quality residential development” on the 14-hectare site, which shares a border with the historic Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.

Of the 333 homes, 88 will be affordable homes according to the firm’s planning statement. Persimmon intends to invest £35.8m in the site, with the development estimated to generate nearly £500,000 per annum for Aberdeen City Council in tax receipts.