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.

An exhibition being held tomorrow will feature material and artefacts showcasing the history of the industrial building. Items on display will include a pattern book with fabric samples from the late 19th century and the certification of Richards’ incorporation as a limited company from 1898.

Plans of key buildings on the site, including the New North and South Mill and the Bastille, from the archive’s building warrant collection will also be on display as well as footage of Broadford Works from the collections of the National Library of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive.

The exhibition will be held in the Town and County Hall at the town house in Broad Street between 11am and 4pm.