A piece of Fittie’s fishing history has been saved after locals rose up against plans to replace it with an Airbnb.
The eye-catching storage hut, known as a “tarry shed”, is one of the last remaining in Aberdeen’s “village within a city”.
It was originally used to store nets and other fishing equipment when the community was built in the early 1800s.
Why was one of the last Fittie tarry sheds at risk?
Its new owner argued that it was now in such a shoddy state that demolition was the only option.
Victoria Buchanan said knocking down the shack would create space for money-spinning visitor accommodation.
Her architects said: “It is difficult to justify the client spending money to repair a building which lacks potential.”
But neighbours in North Square refused to let the relic of a bygone age be destroyed without a fight.
‘Charm of Fittie will disappear’
Lee Gohil, who lives a few doors down from the shed, said the scheme risked the community’s quaint appeal.
He said: “I have lived here for over 25 years.
“The charm and nature of Fittie will start to disappear if we allow properties to become money making enterprises.”
Why is Fittie so special?
Fittie was designed by architect John Smith in 1809, the same man responsible for Balmoral Castle.
The tarry sheds were originally built from driftwood and other material washed up on the tide.
It is one of Aberdeen’s most beloved conservation areas, with photo-snapping visitors a regular feature along its picturesque squares.
But one resident feared that special status, bestowed upon Fittie in 1968, could be lost if the plans were approved.
Phyllis Lyon, in her letter of objection, said: “The council designates these areas to ensure their character and appearance is preserved and enhanced.
“This proposed demolition of the outbuilding at No 2 would have a hugely deleterious effect on the character and appearance of Footdee.
“It would threaten the very conservation area status of the whole village.”
Neighbour opposes Airbnb idea
Phyllis has lived just yards away from the tarry shed for 40 years.
She added: “The ‘tarry shed’ under consideration is one of the few remaining
traditional wooden outbuildings in the area
“They were never intended to provide the likes of Airbnb, or vacation rentals, which trend is widely considered to reduce the amenity of a residential area, not improve it.”
And she pleaded with the council to help preserve “our beautiful and well-loved ‘village within a city'” by rejecting the programme.
Sales pitch includes ‘potential refurbishment’ of tarry shed
Last month, our Planning Ahead roundup featured the proposal – and explained that the applicant already owns 2 North Square.
But now the cottage is up for sale for £210,000 with marketers advertising the “potential with the refurbishment of the tarry shed into a third bedroom”.
That may soon have to change.
Fittie tarry shed a ‘unique example’
Aberdeen City Council’s planning department has this week quashed the tarry shed scheme.
Case officer Roy Brown said it being “one of the few surviving historic ‘tarry sheds’ in Footdee” and “a unique example of Scottish vernacular architecture” made it “worthy of retention”.
This video shows some other examples of Fittie tarry sheds:
Do you think the plans should have been approved? Let us know in our comments section below
He also said the owner had provided “insufficient evidence” to back up her claim that any repairs would affect its historic value, that such upgrades would be “economically unviable” or that there is no alternative to demolition.
“The demolition is not required as part of a wider project that would contribute significantly to economic growth or wider community benefit,” he concluded.
You can see the plans here.
Conversation