A historic piece of Aberdeen’s industrial heritage will be substantially demolished after approval following council meeting.
The planning committee approved recommendations for the demolition of the Grey Mill building at Broadford Works including the Old Mill, and the South Mill with the exception of the south gable wall.
The A-listed, four storey, structure, built in 1808, holds the accolade of being the fourth oldest iron framed building in the world and the oldest in Scotland.
The works are known to generations of Aberdonians for their use in the textile manufacturing industry until it closed in 2004.
Now a massive £100million regeneration project for the site by developers Inhabit is on the table.
The firm is seeking to bring the old workshops back to life by creating 460 homes, with accommodation for 430 students, shops and office space.
Councillors were told yesterday that the Grey Mill could be saved – but that it would be a huge cost and the developers were unlikely to want to continue with the scheme if they had to redevelop it.
A report, compiled by the Hurd Rolland Partnership after a visit in 2016, says that fully retaining the buildings would cost upwards of £11.5million, while demolition would cost around £1.1million.
The plans have been backed by city centre business body Aberdeen Inspired and the Greater George Street Traders Association.
But the Aberdeen Civic Society and Historic Environment Scotland have both raised concerns.
But yesterday the plans for demolition were backed unanimously by councillors.
Committee convener Marie Boulton said officers had worked hard to find ways to retain the mill.
She added: “It is sad that it has to be demolished but the developers have been clear that the whole project would be unviable without it.
“There were fires set there and people breaking into the site so I think, without this plan, we could have had the loss of all the buildings.”
An Inhabit spokeswoman said: “We are delighted that Aberdeen city councillors have unanimously supported our plans for the regeneration of the historic Broadford Works site.
“The redevelopment will support the city’s long-term growth by delivering a high quality, mixed-use development that sits alongside the Aberdeen city centre masterplan. We look forward to progressing the next phase of development on this important site.”