Scottish Government Ministers this week gave the go-ahead to plans for a £12.5 million contemporary arts centre to be built in Aberdeen's Union Terrace Gardens. The centre for Peacock Visual Arts, one of Scotland's leading contemporary arts institutions, will be situated close to Rosemount Viaduct and the city's art gallery.

The plans had already been backed by the city council but had to go to ministers for final approval. The centre will include public exhibition spaces and multi-purpose areas for film screenings, musical performances and large-scale installations.

A spokeswoman for Peacock said: "The innovative design places the arts centre right in the heart of the city by incorporating the development into a sunken Victorian garden and has been described as visionary and iconic.”
"The new Union Terrace Gardens centre will attract over 200,000 visitors per year to the Northeast. Within its 3,200 square metres it will host activities spanning the contemporary arts and house galleries, printmaking, television and dance studios, workshops and an education suite."

Construction at the site is expected to be completed by 2010.