Aberdeen hospitality bosses have been barred from bringing back a popular marquee after it “destroyed” parts of a public park.
McGinty’s Group, which owns the No 10 bar and restaurant, had sought permission from the council to restore the outdoor area on the adjacent Queen’s Terrace Gardens.
Pleading to revive it this summer, the firm claimed the £100,000 structure helped the business survive the pandemic and ensured jobs for staff.
Objectors called for No 10 marquee to be refused
But the idea was met with fury from locals, dismayed by the damage inflicted to the grass by the 90ft by 30ft structure.
Grant Bjorkelund accused No 10 of “destroying the area”, and suggested the car park to the back of the premises be used instead.
Bryan Watson said: “Public spaces are for the public good – the mess that has been left is a disgrace as the grass has been destroyed and churned up.”
And Queens Cross and Harlaw Community Council took exception “to the loss of open green space to the public, even if temporarily”.
No 10 marquee ‘never intended to be permanent’
Dr Bill Harrison said the No 1o marquee proposal could “set a dreadful precedent” for private firms using public space.
He added: “The marquee was granted temporary planning permission in the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic and was never intended to be a permanent feature.”
When we covered the dispute last month, one resident even suggested they would “be as well putting it back” to cover up the unsightly mess left behind.
Was the council right to reject the plans? Let us know in our comments section below
Why did council refuse N0 10 marquee plans?
The council’s planning department has now ruled out the return.
In a letter to McGinty’s, planning officers state: “The proposal involves a significant proportion of the urban green space of Queen’s Terrace Gardens being utilised for private commercial purposes.
“No replacement green space provision is proposed.”
‘No compelling justification’
The letter adds: “Furthermore, the prominent location of the proposed structures is such that they would detract from the parkland setting of Queen’s Terrace Gardens.
“In the context of Covid-19 social distancing requirements being eased and hospitality venues returning to full capacity, it is considered that there is no longer any compelling
justification for this development.”
McGinty’s hits back
McGinty’s argued that there was an agreement struck with the council to “return the grass to its former state” after the marquee was removed this September.
As management was hopeful of bringing it back this summer, they say there was no need to do this in the interim.
They add this was agreed with the local authority when taking on the space.
You can see the plans here.
Conversation