Council chiefs are preparing plans to boost Aberdeen city centre’s population by 20% in less than 20 years.

The local authority’s regeneration spokesman Ross Grant said the plan was to attract 3,000 more people to live in the area as part of the 25-year City Centre Masterplan launched in 2015.

But they are waiting for a report from real estate firm Savills which was commissioned to identify ways to help attract people back into the city centre.

New housing developments would have to be created and other unused buildings brought back to life on major shopping streets such as Union Street and George Street.

It is understood that plans are being drawn up to once again investigate partial pedestrianisation of parts of Union Street after the completion of the £750million Aberdeen bypass – a key plank of the masterplan vision when it was first unveiled.

Cllr Grant said: “The council commissioned a study from real estate specialists Savills, which consulted residents and stakeholders to identify ways to help draw people back into the heart of the city. A report is expected to be considered by councillors later this year.”

Opposition SNP leader Stephen Flynn said: “There will be a collective sigh from the people of Aberdeen when they realise that this work is massively overdue, with funds for a study first agreed in 2016.”