Welcome to Planning Ahead – our weekly round-up of the latest proposals lodged across the north-east.
Winter really arrived in the north-east last week, with a wet and windy Wednesday evoking memories of the dreadful storms that swept the region last year.
The effects of Arwen are still being felt in our communities, as new plans to repair damage inflicted on Aberdeen’s famous Marischal College show.
Meanwhile Inverurie pizza fans could soon be in for a treat with Fireaway, a firm that recently opened a new Aberdeen take-away, setting its sights on the town.
But first, worshippers at one of Aberdeen’s most striking churches want to form a new “peace garden” at the front of the 19th Century building…
Peace garden could offer a spot for quiet reflection
The Trustees of St Mary’s Episcopal Church on Carden Place have submitted plans to transform the unused area at the front of the A-listed building.
Papers sent to Aberdeen City Council explain the “long-standing desire” which has been “formalised” over recent months.
A place “for reflection and gathering”, it would be open to anyone.
There would be a raised planting area next to the far wall, and three benches placed around a circular paved area.
On behalf of the trustees, architect David Chouman says the garden would “further enhance the church’s offering”.
He added it would continue its use “at the heart of this flourishing city centre community”.
Newmachar United stand plans
Newmachar United FC wants to install a new 40-seater stand at its Charles Gordon Park home.
The structure would be built from an old shipping container.
With winter drawing in, fans of the North Region Juniors side will no doubt be glad of the shelter it could provide if approved.
Banchory home to be knocked down and replaced
In August, we detailed plans to demolish a property on the outskirts of Banchory to make way for a more eco-friendly (and cost-efficient) replacement.
New owners Robin and Claire Miller lodged the application for Howeburn House and Cottage at Auchattie, on the southern outskirts of the Deeside town.
Aberdeenshire Council has now rubber-stamped the scheme.
It means the “dilapidated” building near Scolty Hill will make way for an eye-catching Scandi-style family property.
Latest plans to boost Bon Accord Centre
Aberdeen’s Bon Accord Centre has had a mixed few months…
After a bruising spell in the pandemic, it entered administration in late August.
But bosses were determined to turn around its fortunes and recently successfully applied to turn an abandoned indoor bowling green into a family fun zone.
Now, another potential money-spinner could be on the cards.
Liverpool-based Open Outdoor Media Ltd have applied for permission to install a 3.84m wide by 5.76m high digital advertising sign at the mall’s George Street entrance.
Scroll back and forth to see how it would look:
The company says the position of the sign would “help to support the core retail area as it will create opportunities to sell, influence and inform”.
Seeking approval “without delay”, bosses also suggest it would “improve the vibrancy and vitality of the area”.
Johnshaven coastal path crumbling
Along the Mearns coast, locals are launching efforts to stop a popular path from “collapsing into the sea”.
The campaigners have lodged plans for a 62m section of the crumbling walkway to be upgraded.
The Mearns Coastal Heritage Trail group says the engineering operation will “protect and reinforce” the section between Johnshaven and St Cyrus
Papers sent to Aberdeenshire Council explain: “Sections of the coastal path are collapsing into the sea due to failing gabions.
“We intend to place rock armour against them, which will extend an existing section of
rock armour by about 62m.”
This drone footage offers some stunning aerial views of the coastal path:
Wind-powered whisky distillery plans surge forward
Plans to open a unique wind-powered distillery outside Turriff were rubber-stamped by Aberdeenshire Council last year.
Applicant Wilson Strachan has now submitted more proposals as the project takes shape.
And they include a new design image offering a fresh look at the complex – and revealing its name as Balmaud Distillery.
Under the latest proposals, he wants to extend an existing barn at Yonderton Farm to be used as a storage warehouse for casks of Scotland’s national drink.
And Mr Strachan has lodged a separate application to demolish a shed to make way for a reception area and offices.
On the first floor, there would be a boardroom, tasting suite and a “research and development room”.
More netting to keep Aberdeen gulls away
Last week, Planning Ahead detailed new anti-seagull netting to be erected over a prominent Union Street building.
Now the owners of an industrial complex at Howe Moss Drive in Dyce want to cover several units in similar material to keep avian menaces away.
The plan by London-based M&G Real Estate was approved after nearby Aberdeen International Airport rasied no qualms.
Pair of Hatton hotel plans rejected
Plans to use the yard of a mothballed north-east hotel to store material used in the creation of railway platforms have been rejected.
Owner Shahbaz Mahmood wanted to use space at Hatton’s old Station Hotel, which has been closed since 2016.
Under the scheme, land to the rear would be used to store material from the Blue Diamond manufacturing firm next door.
But the latest scheme comes after plans to turn the hotel into four flats were approved in 2018…
And the council rejected these new proposals as they would ruin the outdoor space of those properties, once they are built.
Another plan falls flat…
Meanwhile, a separate application to turn the ground floor restaurant into another three flats has also been rejected.
Mr Mahmood, during the previous process in 2018, secured permission to turn the old hotel restaurant into a take-away.
His new attempt to create further flats there instead left a bad taste in the mouth of council officers.
They said insufficient detail had been provided on road safety, with unclear information on how the proposed flats would be accessed.
New Inverurie Fireaway pizza plans
Designer pizza chain Fireaway opened a branch in the Mastrick area of Aberdeen in September, and is already looking to expand its north-east portfolio.
The firm wants to turn the closed down Vanilla Cafe at 17 West High Street into a new branch.
The vacated premises was put up for rent at a price of £21,000 per annum earlier this year.
Fireaway, which has outlets in London and Glasgow, also offers a special dessert pizza, milkshakes and sides like cheesy garlic bread and chicken strips.
The Fireaway pizza plans for Inverurie have been lodged by Madhu Krishna.
Wondering what you’re in for if Inverurie’s Fireaway pizza plans are approved? Our food and drink experts tried out the Aberdeen branch!
Council could force man to remove fences ‘keeping vandals at bay’
Meanwhile, trouble is brewing over “unauthorised” timber fencing in a leafy Countesswells cul-de-sac.
David Lawrie, who was registered as a director with BP Exploration (Delta), is entangled in a bitter red tape row with the local authority.
The 57-year-old lives at 6 Craigden, estimated to be worth about £500,000.
He says a section of open space to the rear of his property was regularly “the subject of anti-social behaviour”, with rowdy youths creating a mess and setting fire to trees.
Papers sent to the council by his agents, Ryden, explain that Mr Lawrie took matters into his own hands in 2019 by purchasing the 781 square metres of land.
At that point, he advised the local authority of his intention to fence it off to “prevent vandalism and ultimately protect new trees”.
Ryden says he received no response, so proceeded to build the 1.8m timber fence around the site.
Row ensues over ‘community garden’
He was therefore stunned when Aberdeen City Council got in touch this summer.
A letter stated: “You appear to have enclosed an area of public open space immediately behind your property, and are utilising the area as private garden ground.”
Mr Lawrie insists the land is not being used privately, rather serving as a “community garden” for various Craigden residents.
A combination lock has been installed at the gate, to which all residents have access.
Ryden adds: “Mr Lawrie considered it necessary to enclose the area to protect it, as well as the 30 new trees planted, from vandalism.
“It is argued that this is appropriate.”
The council remained unconvinced though, demanding Mr Lawrie submit a planning application – which has now been lodged.
He has been left seeking formal permission to change the nature of the site from “open space” to a “community garden”.
If it’s refused, he will have to take the fencing down.
Who do you think is in the right here? Let us know in our comments section below
Marischal College upgrades planned
Finally, one of Aberdeen’s most famous buildings could be in line for some upgrades after stonework was toppled during Storm Arwen.
The council has formed plans to “reconstruct” the stone parapet at the North Tower of A-listed Marischal College, with new steel frames to support other parapets.
The Aberdeen City Council HQ, also the police’s regional base these days, dates back to the 16th Century.
Last winter, a festive market inside the Quad there was forced to close after the tower was damaged.
A new report, lodged as part of the upgrade plan, has shed more light on the destruction wrought by the ferocious winds.
The dossier has been penned by architect David Chouman, after he scaled scaffolding to inspect the damaged spot this summer.
He says the destruction of the “decorative masonry” in question “was directly attributable to the exceptional storm event of November 2021”.
The stonework had been refurbished about a decade earlier and was “not considered unstable” or in “poor condition”.
Mr Chouman adds: “The severity and direction of the storm (with maintained gusts of over 100mph and unusually from a north-easterly direction) caused the slender arrangement of decorative stonework to topple.”
The masonry has since been stored at a council depot and other sections were supported with straps.
If the plans are approved, it will be put back in its “original arrangement”.
Following damage caused to Marischal College by Storm Arwen, Curated in the Quad – the festive market inside the Quad at Marischal College – has been closed so repair work can take place. Updates will be issued. Aberdeen Christmas Village remains fully open. pic.twitter.com/4CYYao4yeD
— Aberdeen City Council (@AberdeenCC) December 3, 2021
Reinforcements in case of repeat storm
However, Mr Chouman says it’s impossible to predict the “ongoing risk of potential further toppling in the future from similar storm events”…
And so a “discrete structural framework” made of galvanised steel will be installed to offer enhanced support.
“This will be fitted to all four sides of the tower”, he concludes.
It comes after plans to restore the nearby Tolbooth were featured in Planning Ahead last month.
You can see this week’s plans for yourself using these links:
Church launches peace garden plans
Turriff distillery warehouse and office proposal
Dyce industrial estate netting
Hatton hotel schemes rejected (storage yard and flats)
Fireaway pizza planning new Inverurie take-away
Countesswells cul-de-sac fencing row
Conversation