Canadian developer Carttera is seeking to build around 300 rented flats, a gym, and a “heritage bistro” at Rubislaw Quarry, which will host a permanent exhibition at the north of the quarry on the history of the famous site which gave the Granite City its name.

The firm said the designs were inspired by the enormous blocks of granite which were hauled from the quarry for more than 200 years.

Local businessman Hugh Black previously revealed proposals for the opposite side of the quarry, including a heritage centre, and is locked in a legal battle to move forward with the scheme. The centre, which would project over the side of the 466ft deep pit, would include conference and educational facilities.

But Mr Black’s vision has stalled, with Rubislaw Quarry Aberdeen wrangling with the Scottish Lands Tribunal to change the deed conditions currently prohibiting it from moving forward.

Carttera said their rival project would better preserve the natural space, adding: “The architecture of these proposals has been designed to pay tribute to the heritage of the Granite City and the importance of Rubislaw Quarry to Aberdeen’s history.”

Jim Tadeson, who is behind Carttera’s plans, said the company would continue to “vehemently” oppose Mr Black’s scheme as theirs would protect the “natural state” of the site better.

He said: “We want to pay tribute to this history through the architecture, and publicly accessible spaces within the building. We have another heritage centre proposed next to us, which we have been opposed to all along.

“We have always believed that the area where that centre is proposed should be preserved in its natural state.

“It should never have been proposed there, and we are fighting it vehemently. We have a wonderful opportunity on a site that is approved for development already, where we can let the public get close to the quarry and we can have a heritage component without causing disruption to trees and the community.”

The Toronto-based firm has now held a public exhibition on the project, ahead of submitting plans to Aberdeen City Council later this month.