It’s been quite a week in the Union Terrace Gardens/Peacock/City Square debate:

Monday: A hush-hush meeting at the Grammar School which was part of ACSEF’s ‘public consultation’.  Thing was hardly anyone was told.  Unless they were specifically invited.  Fair enough, but I reckon our good citizens would relish a proper public debate on the subject.  Two PR people standing in the Trinity Centre (sorry, Mall Trinity) isn’t going to cut it.  Anyway, if anyone reading this was there on Monday, we’d love to hear from you…

Fast-forward to Wednesday and architect Edgar Gonzalez unveiled some alternative plans for UTG at Peacock, a night which was so well attended that it knocks the whole ‘vocal minority’ myth right into the lounge bar of the Cocket Hat. The exhibition is ongoing and is a must see,  check the excellent Urban Realm Scottish architecture site for an overview.

Finally, Friday saw Sir Ian Wood finally put his head above the parapet as part of Brian Taylor’s Big Debate on BBC Radio Scotland.  He got a bit of a roasting to be perfectly honest, despite his claims that below his city square would be ‘like Covent Garden’. So, it’s going to be like Trafalgar/Red/St Mark’s Square on top and like Covent Garden underneath? Aye, right.  MP Anne Begg also went on record as a supporter of the Peacock plans (like any right-minded person), the only politician who didn’t flap around the issue.  Kudos. Listen again to the show here.  The UTG stuff starts at about 22 minutes in and the comedy moment as Wood’s initial statement is applauded solely by an ACSEF board member is far, far better than Del Boy falling through any bar.

Needless to say, the debate continues (and seems to be getting more and more heated).  Bring it on…