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Baker Hughes could demolish huge Aberdeen base, Peterculter pizza take-away and crumbling cottage could make way for eco-friendly Banchory home

The council could approve the demolition of the Bridge of Don Baker Hughes base
The Baker Hughes factory at Bridge of Don is subject to demolition plans.

Welcome to our weekly round-up of the latest planning applications lodged across the north-east.

This week, Baker Hughes has lodged plans for the demolition of a huge building in Bridge of Don after sacking scores of workers there last year.

Elsewhere in Aberdeen, there are proposals to breathe life into some prominent vacant buildings – with a modern Scottish art gallery eyeing up an old west end office.

And the new owners of a “dilapidated” Banchory cottage want to knock it down to create space for an “unashamedly contemporary” eco-friendly home.

A ‘dessert dining experience like no other’ coming to Union Street

The site was occupied by Sainsbury’s for years.

We start with good news for Aberdeen’s hard-hit main shopping street.

The former Sainsbury’s shop at 206 Union Street will be brought back into use – being divided into a branch of Heavenly Desserts and Chinese take-away Oodles.

The 206 Union Street address has been vacant for some time.

The plans, lodged in March, have now been approved by the council.

And floor plans show how the premises, close to Aberdeen Music Hall, will be reconfigured.

Scroll back and forth to see the changes:

Heavenly Desserts was founded in 2008 and has made its name selling a range of cheesecakes, brownies, milkshakes and sundaes.

The unit is on the corner of Huntly Street and Union Street.

The company describes itself as offering “a dessert dining experience like no other” and already has branches in Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as other parts of the UK.

The home of the Croffle✨ has some new Croffles…Peanut butter & Jam Croffle 💖#HeavenlyDessert #HomeOfTheCroffle

Posted by Heavenly Desserts UK on Tuesday, 23 August 2022

The scheme comes as the council improves a block of old flats above the shops to encourage more people to live in the city centre.

Any of the new tenants won’t have far to go for a snack – be they sweet-toothed or in the mood for noodles.

There could soon be dozens of people living above the pudding parlour and Chinese take-away.

Gallery to take over abandoned Aberdeen office

Meanwhile, the upmarket Gallery Heinzel has formed plans to take over the former AG Bean chartered surveyors office on the corner of Chattan Place and Great Western Road.

The building, which dates back to 1897, measures 1,888 sq ft in total.

Heinzel, which specialises in contemporary art, currently operates from Thistle Street.

Blueprints lodged by Mackie Ramsay Taylor architects show how the 1 and 3 Chattan Place addresses would be merged to form an expansive ground floor with two gallery areas.

The building will be “amalgamated” under the scheme.

The lower ground floor would be used for storage.

Gallery Heinzel did not respond to a request for comment on whether the move will mean the closure of the Thistle Street shop.

Gallery Heinzl on Thistle Street doesn’t have quite as much room.

Separate plans have been lodged for new signs at the building, with a placard on the pavement outside.

Here’s how owner Maura Tighe envisions the future of the Chattan Place building.

Gallery Heinzel is owned by Maura Tighe, who began working for its founder Chris Heinzel in 1999 and took over the business in 2000.

The large office complex has been available for a while.

Illuminating plans for Braemar medical centre

This weekend, the eyes of the world will turn to Braemar as the country’s biggest and most famous Highland Games event returns in all its glory.

The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Braemar. Picture by Kenny Elrick

In the years since it was last staged in 2019, the local medical centre has relocated to a temporary base at the Gathering’s Princess Royal and Duke Of Fife Memorial Park.

The Braemar Health Centre will remain there while £500,000 upgrades are performed at the St Andrew’s Terrace building.

NHS Grampian is now applying for permission to install streetlights at the back of the Duke of Rothesay pavilion leading to the temporary unit.

This design sent to Aberdeenshire Council shows where the lighting would be installed.

Aboyne shop to become office

Elsewhere in Deeside, an architect has designs on an empty store in the heart of Aboyne.

This image from Google Maps shows the empty unit in question.

Strathdon-based Brown and Brown wants to take over a unit at Station Square, next to the Monkey Business children’s shoe shop.

Ramshackle roof being replaced at Fraserburgh tennis courts

This image from Google Maps shows the roof in need of replacement.

The Fraserburgh South Links Sports Development Trust is serving up plans to replace the “badly deteriorating” roof at the pavilion next to the town’s tennis courts.

The group says many of the felt shingles are missing and sections of the walls “are rotting”, with many replaced by sheets of plywood.

This image from the rear shows the poor condition of the venue.

Members are now applying for permission to upgrade the roof and walls, “with a view to preserving the lifespan of the pavilion”.

Solar panels will also be added to the revamped roof.

Controversial Slains Castle plans progress…

The creepy interior at Slains Castle could soon be completely gone.

We recently revealed how Aberdeen’s famously spooky Slains Castle pub could soon be converted into an upmarket Slug and Lettuce cocktail bar.

Dismayed regulars told us they would soon have to find a new place to drink.

Slains Castle on a suitably dark evening…
Trendy birdcage seating could be installed to attract Instagrammers.

Now, owners Stonegate have progressed their plans with updated blueprints showing how the coffin-shaped boards at the front of the building will be removed, and the gothic Slains Castle sign will be replaced…

Here’s how the Belmont Street building could soon look.

Noose and Monkey swanky revamp

Meanwhile, the nearby Noose and Monkey pub has been undergoing a more subtle image overhaul in recent years – with an increasing focus on mouth-watering meals.

This view could soon look quite different.

Now the owners, Edinburgh-based Star Pubs and Bars, want to spruce up the exterior.

Images sent to the council show how the signs could be upgraded, some with illuminated replacements.

This image shows how the frontage on Rosemount Viaduct looks at present.
And this glimpse into the future from SR Signs shows how it could change.
Here is how the Skene Street side of the building looks currently.
And this is how the owners would like to enhance it.
The sister venue The Cellar would be upgraded too.
Here’s how it could look. Image from SR Signs.

Westhill fitness fans to get in touch with their inner gladiator…

Planning Ahead recently revealed proposals to turn an empty Westill office into a gym.

The empty unit at Arnhall Business Centre could soon be converted. Supplied by Google Maps

Now, perhaps inspired by the Gladiatorial feats of strength on display in ancient Roman times, the name for the proposed fitness facility has been unveiled as The Colosseum.

Applicants Specialist Valve Services Ltd have applied separately for new signs at the Arnhall Business Park site displaying the mighty moniker.

Are you not entertained? Would-be gladiators could build up their muscles in the new complex

The unit was previously an office for the Optimus engineering company.

Have a look around the empty space here:

New Aberdeen hospital delayed further

Planning papers lodged with Aberdeen City Council indicate that construction of the new Baird Family Hospital could take slightly longer than expected.

In June we reported that the new building was set to open in March 2024.

This image shows the planned new entrance to the site.

However, in seeking to extend planning permission for the creation of a new entrance, NHS Grampian has signalled a change.

They say that the “expected timescale for the construction” of the Baird Family Hospital and accompanying Anchor Centre is April 30, 2024.

Work continues on the new hospital.

Peterculter pizza plans

Earlier this year, Bieldside-based Paul Young had his plans to transform an empty Peterculter shop into apartments rejected.

Scroll back and forth to see the ill-fated vision:

The council said the 14-flat block’s “scale, height, form and density” would “result in
overdevelopment of the site”, with an “adverse impact on Peterculter”.

After a quick trip back to the drawing board, Mr Young is hoping his new plans for the “derelict” shop will win favour.

He says he has been approached by a local businessman who would be keen to lease the 242 North Deeside Road unit as a take-away pizza parlour.

This image from Google Maps shows the former Alldays bakery site on North Deeside Road.

Seeking permission for the change of use from Aberdeen City Council, he explains that the space was part of a bakery business before he purchased it.

He refurbished the adjacent shop, now run as a tanning salon, but was unable to open the smaller unit as retail – so it has lain empty since he bought it in 2016.

The owner has been able to lease out some of the building as a tanning salon. Image from Google Maps.

The site on the western edge of the suburb, just off the A93 Aberdeen to Banchory road, also has some “derelict” former workshops to the rear.

Black Dog outdoor seating plea

Some customers seen here enjoying the recent sunny weather.

The Black Dog pub in Bridge of Don is seeking permission to keep the outdoor seating it installed for customers to enjoy some outdoor hospitality.

The extra tables and chairs are already in place, so the application is a retrospective one.

The added seating seen here on a sunny August day.

Should Aberdeen City Council refuse the plans, the tables, chairs and fencing would have to be removed.


Do you have any thoughts on this week’s plans? Let us know in our comments section


Baker Hughes demolition plans

This image of the Baker Hughes base comes from last summer, when it was still a bustling workplace. Picture by Kath Flannery

US energy service firm Baker Hughes has been present on Aberdeen’s Woodside Road since the 1970s, when the oil boom was in its infancy.

Over the years the building there has undergone expansion – with a £100,000 cash injection in 2002 for a new training centre.

The Baker Hughes demolition plan would see the large building reduced to rubble.

But in the 20 years since then, a lot has changed.

Last year some 100 jobs were lost at the Bridge of Don plant when the manufacturing base there was shut down.

The closure of the factory last summer was reported as a blow to the industry on the front page of the Press and Journal.

At the time, a spokeswoman said “unprecedented market conditions” and a drop-off in demand meant the firm had to cut costs.

This image from Google Maps shows the scale of the site Baker Hughes plans to demolish.

And now, Baker Hughes is seeking permission to knock down the 211,829sq ft building off Ellon Road.

But the company told us that demolition is just one option for it…

The empty building is now watched over by a security firm.

Baker Hughes demolition scheme only to provide ‘optionality’

A spokeswoman said Baker Hughes has received an offer for the complex, which could secure its future.

The planning application has been lodged in case the sale falls through.

The firm says having permission to flatten it might provide “attractive optionality to an alternative potential buyer”.

Once upon a time, this board would have listed several prestigious roles at the site.

Demolition is a route many firms have gone down to avoid paying huge business rates on empty premises.

According to the Scottish Government’s non-domestic rates calculator, the old factory could cost as much as £476,000 every year in tax.

Banchory cottage could be bulldozed to make way for huge home

Howeburn House and Cottage at Auchattie, on the southern outskirts of Banchory, were put on the market for £390,000 last year.

New owners Robin and Claire Miller bought it “with the intention to settle long-term, making Howeburn their family home”.

Howeburn House and Cottage, Auchattie, Banchory, AB31 6PTOffers Over £390,000Open Day – Saturday 26th June, 2pm – 5pmhttps://www.raeburns.co.uk/properties/howeburn-house-and-cottage/

Posted by Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace LLP on Friday, 25 June 2021

They have now submitted plans to demolish the building near Scolty Hill to create an eye-catching Scandi-style family property.

Architects Brown and Brown say the current buildings are “dilapidated”, and making them energy-efficient would “incur a significant cost”.

They promise the proposed replacement will be a “low-energy sustainable home”, described as “unashamedly contemporary”.

These images from Brown and Brown show the sprawling one-storey site.
There would be space for dining outdoors, surrounded by stunning Deeside scenery.
The master bedroom would be based in the gable end of the plush home.

These floor plans show how the one-storey property would be divided into three “volumes” – for the garage, social spaces and bedrooms:

These design plans from Brown and Brown show how the four-bedroom residence would be created.
Another view of the potential new home outside Banchory.
This image shows the covered seating area perfect for summertime garden parties.

You can see this week’s plans for yourself using these links:

Union Street dessert parlour 

Chattan Place building changes and signage

Braemar Health Centre lighting 

Aboyne shop changes

Fraserburgh roof replacement 

Slains Castle update

Noose and Monkey 

Colosseum Fitness

Baird Family Hospital latest 

Peterculter pizza take-away 

Black Dog beer garden

Baker Hughes demolition plans 

Banchory home

Conversation