Placard-waving protesters last night launched a last-ditch appeal for councillors to reject plans for a housing development at Rubislaw Quarry.
The authority’s planning committee will meet tomorrow to discuss a £68 million application to build 299 flats at the historic Aberdeen site, believed to be Europe’s largest man-made hole.
More than 350 residents have objected to the scheme, and were furious last week when council planning chiefs recommended that elected members approve it.
Dozens of protesters gathered at the entrance to the former granite quarry on Queens Road yesterday evening in a final effort to persuade councillors to throw out the plans.
The demonstrators received numerous honks of support from passing motorists as they brandished signs bearing slogans with slogans like “stand up for our quarry”.
The gathering was arranged by Craigiebuckler and Seafield Community Council in response to planning officials endorsing the proposal from Canadian real estate firm Carttera.
Group chairman, William Sell, said: “That is what has spurred this on, it appears that the officers don’t listen to the will of the people but we are hoping the elected members will.”
Aileen Brown, from nearby Springfield Avenue, said: “The quarry is a historic monument and this building would destroy it.”
Cove joiner, Andrew McLaggan, added: “The rental market is dying, I don’t know who is expected to live in these expensive flats.”
Mastrick resident, Bill Lynch, said the proposed development was “too big” and potentially “a disaster” for the city.
Businessman Hugh Black wants to create a £6 million heritage centre at the historic spot and attended last night’s protest against the rival proposal.
He said: “It is only right the community gets the chance to voice its objections.”
The flats proposed for the northern edge of the 18th century quarry, which closed in 1971 and is now filled with water, could reach 10 storeys in height.
Carttera’s application also details plans for a gym and a combined bistro and “mini-museum” there.
A report prepared by Aberdeen City Council planning officials states: “It is important that a range of rental options are available in the city, and the proposed introduction
of a significant number of build-to-rent flats would contribute towards increasing these options.”
And Maggie Botchel, of Aurora planning who are working with Carttera, insisted that the development “will bring real social and economic benefits to the city.”
