Councillors have approved plans to flatten a historic Aberdeen landmark to make way for a £100 million “urban village”.

Broadford Works, which was once home to the largest collection of category A-listed buildings at risk in Scotland, has been taken over by developer Inhabit, which plans to transform it into 460 homes, shops and offices.

The city council’s planning committee unanimously agreed to approve plans to demolish parts of the Grey Mill, including the oldest iron-framed mill in Scotland – and the fourth oldest known to survive in the world.

Councillors on the planning committee heard from planners that the applicant has provided evidence, which has been independently verified, that if the site-wide proposals included the retention and repair of the Old and South mills, the “entire development would be considered unviable”.

Officers said the new plans would see 12 buildings on the site restored and brought back into use.

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, objected to the plans.

One of the conditions attached to the application is that no demolition should take place until the works preceding demolition have been completed and a detailed construction programme submitted of the first six months of work.

A spokeswoman for Inhabit said: “We are delighted that Aberdeen city councillors have unanimously supported our plans for the regeneration of the historic Broadford Works site.

“The redevelopment will support the city’s long-term growth by delivering a high quality, mixed-use development that sits alongside the Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan.

“We look forward to progressing the next phase of development on this important site.”