More than £400,000 has been committed by the Wood Family Trust to help fund the next phase of plans for the City Garden Project, Aberdeen.

The multi-million pound renovation of the city's Union Terrace Gardens area has secured private sector worth £55m, with a further £15m planned. It is anticipated that contracts will soon be in place to co-ordinate the project's international design competition, with proposals due to go for public consultation in autumn.

A business case for the project is currently being progressed as part of the city centre Tax Incremental Funding (TIF) application, which could be the fourth of six pilot TIF schemes. An extension to Aberdeen Art Gallery, the redevelopment of the St Nicholas House site and the provision of public realm are among other projects being proposed.

City Garden Project management board chair John Stewart said: "Through the TIF we will be to access funding not otherwise available to invest in the art gallery and the St Nicholas House site, enhancing and reinvigorating our city centre."