An application for planning permission in principle by architects Cooper Cromar on behalf of Ferness Investment Holdings calls for the listed industrial buildings to be retained and converted to provide 890 homes, including both private apartments and student residents.

The plans also involve the creation of a crèche/nursery, restaurant, cafe and bar facilities, a small office and retail space.

A demolition warrant for the building was submitted to Aberdeen City Council at the end of last year and is expected to be approved in the next few weeks.

A spokesman for Central Demolition, which has almost completed work to eradicate the debris and asbestos at the site, said work to knock down the building will take between six and eight weeks.

He said: “We are nearly finished clearing the debris up as well as the asbestos.

“It is hoped demolition will start soon, but we’re still waiting for the warrant to come through.

“There was a lot of debris to clear because the buildings had been badly vandalised.

“It will be into next month before we finish the clean-up.

“It will then take six to eight weeks for demolition to be completed.

“All the high buildings will remain on the site.”