An Aberdeen landowner with plans to create a museum at Rubislaw Quarry has appealed to a national organisation to change the title deeds on the land to bring his idea to fruition.
Hugh Black is attempting to transform part of the historic site – which was once the biggest man-made hole in Europe – into a celebration of Aberdeen’s granite tradition by building a heritage centre.
His Rubislaw Quarry Aberdeen Ltd company confirmed they have appealed to the Scottish lands tribunal to change the deeds to allow the development to proceed.
However, news emerged last October that Canada-based Carttera Properties had tabled £25million plans to create a complex of 280 apartments at the quarry site.
The firm’s proposals also include a multi-storey car park, reception area, cafe, gym and other outdoor facilities.
They also have planning consent for over 100,000sqft of offices on the same site, but are bringing forward the flats plan due to “current market conditions”.
However, Mr Black has vowed to realise his long-cherished vision – which was devised with his late business partner Sandy Whyte – alongside the new homes and has talked about setting up a fundraising campaign after Aberdeen council chiefs declined to fund the project.
A statement from Rubislaw Quarry Aberdeen Ltd said: “We have applied to the Lands Tribunal to vary a title condition to allow the Heritage Centre to go ahead.
“Our application has been notified to all interested parties and we are now waiting on the Lands Tribunal to advise us what the next procedural steps will be, but we anticipate a decision towards the end of February.”
Hazlehead, Queens Cross and Ashley councillor Martin Greig, is among those who back a celebration of the city’s granite heritage.
He said: “The quarry is an important historical site that has much significance for the city.
“There is enormous support for the Heritage Project and many people will be disappointed if this cannot proceed.”
The quarry opened for business in 1740 and six million tonnes of granite were taken out before it closed in 1971.
