Fresh plans to transform an A-listed former factory in Aberdeen into a multimillion pound urban village will go on display next month.
The Press and Journal revealed last week that new plans had emerged to transform the historic Broadford works site on Maberly Street into a development that could rival similar urban villages elsewhere in the UK.
The site has been earmarked for a £50million redevelopment for years, with owner Ian Suttie having consent for more than 500 homes, commercial units, restaurants and a nursery.
But Ferness Investment Holdings have lodged a new proposal of application notice outlines a bid for 890 units, including private rented and student flats, as well as nursery, restaurant, cafe and bar facilities.
The plans will be displayed to the public on December 1 at Aberdeen College, from 3pm to 8pm.
The former Richards factory closed its doors in 2004, with hundreds of jobs lost. It has since become a frequent target for vandals and firebugs.
Demolition on parts of the site, which contains the biggest collection of at-risk listed buildings in Scotland including the Grey Mill – the fourth oldest iron-framed building in the world – began last month.
A spokesman for the company said: “We would definitely encourage people to come and have a look.
“We recognise that there is a high degree of public interest in the site and that there is a high degree of historical merit.
“The application is at a preliminary stage so any public comments we receive will be taken onboard.”
George Street councillor Nathan Morrison said it was “vital” that development began on the site adding it was a “huge part of the city’s industrial heritage”.
He said: “It’s frankly unbelievable it has got to this stage since there has been permission there for so long.
“I think development must go ahead and I know that it is an issue close to lots of people in the area.”
Andy Macleod, chairman of the George Street community council, has also arranged a meeting between the group and the company on December 12.
He said: “It’s certainly a major development of huge importance to the city.
“We look forward to seeing the plans.”