Buildings have been flattened as ambitious demolition work continues at a former Aberdeen factory – some five months after council planners gave their backing for an urban village at the city centre site.
Last September, local authority officials gave their backing in principle to a multimillion-pound project which will transform the historic Broadford Works site.
Proposals tabled by developer, Ferness Investment Holdings, include the creation of private and student flats, restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as offices and shops.
Richards textile factory closed its doors in 2004 and subsequently became a frequent target for vandals and youths, who risked lives by deliberately starting fires.
But, last October, demolition work finally began on the site with a scheduled end date set for the end of April or the start of May.
A total of 32 listed buildings have been earmarked for demolition. However, the consent granted means that 11 historic mill buildings, including the oldest iron-framed mill in Scotland dating back to 1808, must be preserved.
Last year, site owner, Ian Suttie, was served a dangerous building notice by the council, requiring him to implement 24-hour security measures to prevent vandals entering the site.
Planning convener, Ramsay Milne, welcomed the continuing demolition and said the council had worked with the developer to implement the plan.
He added: “Broadford has been empty for a very long time and it is a very important piece of Aberdeen’s heritage.
“It is going to be upgraded and brought back into use which is something we have been striving towards for a very long time.
“It is a very substantial site, so it [the development] is really important to the city’s future. It’s also building homes and student accommodation, but the site contains some fine listed buildings including the very important grey mill.”
Guernsey-registered Ferness Investment Holdings could not be contacted for comment, but previously claimed the scheme would be “residential-led” and “very exciting”.
