A major Canadian developer has gone back to the drawing board and submitted fresh plans to create hundreds of homes at the north-east’s most famous quarry.
Real estate specialists Carterra have submitted a proposal of application notice to the council for 250 private flats, gym, function room, public bistro and promenade along the north side of Rubislaw quarry.
The one, two and three-bedroom flats would be located opposite a new centre showcasing the heritage of the historic site – potentially providing a new tourist attraction for the city.
Once one of the biggest man-made holes in Europe, millions of tonnes of granite was excavated from Rubislaw during its more than 200-year life span – and used in world-famous landmarks like Waterloo bridge.
But since closing as a working site in the early 1970s it has flooded and lain unused.
Carterra’s previous £68m plans to build nearly 300 luxury flats, a gym, mini-museum and bistro at the site were thrown out by the council’s planning committee last summer.
The scheme proved highly contentious and drew more than 350 objections.
Residents raised fears over the potential impact on animals living at the site, predicted an increase in parking problems and said the 10-storey height of the buildings would be a blot on the landscape.
The plan led to a war of words between the Canadian firm and local businessman Hugh Black, who wants to create a £6m heritage centre on the southern edge of the site.
Mr Black could not be reached for comment on the latest plans.
Dr Maggie Bochel, of Aurora Planning who are working with Carterra, said: “We are delighted to be looking at a substantially revised scheme for this site which reflects comments made on the previous proposals from last year.
“We look forward to answering any queries at our public consultation event next month.”
The development will take two years to construct and will include plans for a footpath to link it to the future Heritage Centre site.
The public consultation event will take place on Wednesday, November 20, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Treetops Hotel, Springfield Road from 12pm to 7pm.
Hazlehead, Queens Cross and Countesswells councillor Martin Greig urged any interested residents to take part.
He said: “The community went to great lengths to express their opposition to the previous application – however this one seems to differ in some respects.
“Residents often want to have their say on applications of this scale and I would encourage anyone who wishes to make their views known.”
