Aberdeen Council picked Henry Boot Developments to take forward the new exhibition centre scheme last year.

Boot is aiming to submit for planning in the summer after public consultations on the proposed multi-purpose venue in Dyce, as well as plans to redevelop the existing exhibition centre site.

The new AECC facility is a vital element of the business infrastructure for promoting Aberdeen as a World Energy City and the Energy Capital of Europe.

The new facility will be the most sustainable building of its kind in the UK.

Nick Harris of Henry Boot Developments said: “We are carrying out a number of pre-consultation meetings with key stakeholders ahead of the first phase of public consultation.

“Once these meetings are underway, we will confirm the dates and venues for the public consultation and publicise these widely as we are keen to hear the views and feedback on our plans from as many people as possible.

“We expect these to take place in early summer and look forward to hearing the views of all those who participate.

“The new AECC facility is a vital element of Aberdeen’s future growth and development, not least as a World Energy City and the Energy Capital of Europe. Therefore, the new conference centre and associated facilities will be developed with the ambition to make it the most sustainable facility of its kind in the UK.

“That is, of course, a tall order but one that we are confident we can meet – especially in conjunction with the project team that we have assembled to ensure that we are delivering to brief, on time and on budget.”