Broadford Works village plan in Aberdeen approved in principle

Aberdeen City Council’s planning department made the decision under delegated powers which could see private and student apartments, restaurants, cafes and bars as well as office and retail space developed on the site.

The plans for almost 900 units, which were submitted to the local authority in February this year by Cooper Cromar, also include studio workshops and gallery space as well car parking and open spaces.

Aberdeen City Council’s planning development management committee convener, Councillor Ramsay Milne, said: “Broadford Works is a site of great significance in Aberdeen and the decision represents the next stage in plans for its redevelopment.

“The scheme will create an entirely new and distinctive city centre neighbourhood all the while preserving the most important listed buildings on the site and retaining its industrial heritage and character for the residents of Aberdeen to enjoy.”

The development was approved subject to a number of conditions such as no development can start without transport, waste and parking management plans being submitted for consideration and that each of the unit would either connect to the city’s district heating network or an onsite network.

Developers Ferness Investment Holdings Ltd will now also have to bring forward a detailed phasing programme outlining the delivery of buildings which will need to be approved by the planning authority before any development work can take place.

Dating back to 1808, Broadford Works houses the largest collection of at-risk listed buildings in Scotland.

Demolition is being carried out on the site of some of the buildings after years of neglect since the former Richards textile factory closed its doors in 2004. It became a frequent target for vandals and fire-raisers until new security measures were introduced last year.

The site had been earmarked for a £50 million redevelopment for years, with owner Ian Suttie having consent for more than 500 homes, commercial units, restaurants and a nursery.

However, with no sign of the proposals coming to fruition, Ferness stepped in.

Earlier this year there were calls for affordable homes to be included in the project but Scottish ministers waived the requirement after acknowledging the high cost of development and large amount of listed buildings on site when consent was given.