A north-east village could welcome its very first takeaway after plans were approved to convert a former post office.
Inverallochy’s post office closed last year when it moved to a new location in the neighbouring village of Cairnbulg.
The building, on School Street, has subsequently been emptied, but could now begin serving hot food late into the night after proposals to turn it into a takeaway were approved this month.
However, the scheme, put forward by Ellon architects S G Brown on behalf of Fraserburgh woman Hai Lin, has not been welcomed by all of the community’s residents.
Fears have been raised that the takeaway will create chaos on the village’s narrow roads and that it will attract anti-social behaviour.
In a letter of objection against the proposal, local man Scott Baird said “more than enough” similar eateries were based five minutes away in Fraserburgh.
He added: “An increase in traffic will cause congestion and increase noise for neighbouring houses, and may even generate unbearable noise for residents throughout the evening and into the early hours of the morning.”
“I am also concerned by the potential increase in nuisance and anti-social behaviour that may arise due to opening hours of the proposed hot food takeaway.”
Aberdeenshire Council’s road service has argued the on-street parking available at the takeaway will be sufficient.
Its environmental health team, however, has said that the business should not be brought into use until an odour control system has been installed and approved.
Thirteen letters were lodged in support of the project, including three from Cairnbulg.
Supporters commented that new businesses should be welcomed within the community and that any disruption would be “minimal”.