Architect John Thompson & Partners has won a masterplanning competition to regenerate a 2.5 mile stretch of seafront in Aberdeen.

The commission for Aberdeen Beach, the “links” area of open land between the city and the sea and between the estuaries of the Dee and Don rivers.

The project is being funded by the city’s growth fund, provided by the Scottish executive, which will invest £11.5m over three years.

The area is presently home to the Pittodrie ground of Aberdeen Football Club. The club is understood to be looking to build another ground on the other side of the city. Thompson will be asked to look at the possibility of converting its present ground into a community stadium.

The firm has also been asked to find a venue for an “Energy Futures” centre, which will look at ways of generating electricity from wave and wind power.

Aberdeen, Scotland’s third city, has experienced rapid growth as a result of North Sea oil. It is now planning for the future after the oil runs out.