Welcome to Planning Ahead – our weekly round-up of the latest proposals lodged across the north-east.
This week, we delve into expansion plans for the Royal Arch Riverside Park at Fettercairn – which have received a torrent of angry objections from locals.
We also hear from the owner of Macduff’s fishermen’s retreat, at the former Bayview Hotel, who opens up about closing due to the threat of crippling energy costs.
But first, we have fresh plans to breathe new life into one of Aberdeen city centre’s many empty shops…
Takeaway plans for old Aberdeen language school
Plans have been lodged to turn the bottom floor of the old International House language school at 130 Union Street into a new takeaway.
Its website states that the school, founded in 2006, has now “permanently closed down”.
The building has since been advertised for rent at about £30,000 per year, with offices available on the upper floors.
Now, Kent-based Koinonia Investments Ltd has submitted plans to take over the ground floor and basement area.
There is little detail on the nature of the takeaway, though they say it will sell “fried food” and could open from 2pm to 11pm.
The firm says further detail will emerge if the plans are passed, and a tenant is confirmed to take on the space.
New firm moving in to empty Queen’s Road offices
And new owners have been found for a long-vacant office building in Aberdeen’s west end.
Offshore supply firm RAM Tubulars Scotland Ltd, which has its HQ at Westhill, wants to take over the grand granite building at 48 Queen’s Road.
It was formerly the home of Burnside, Kemp and Fraser advocates, Henderson Loggie accountants and others.
Documents sent to the council seek permission for a range of changes, including new signs.
Solar-powered CCTV to tackle bird hide vandalism
NatureScot has come up with a bright idea to tackle vandalism…
The body wants to install two solar-powered CCTV cameras at the Forvie Nature Reserve to cut down on anti-social behaviour.
A drake eider against the backdrop of sand dunes on Forvie National Nature Reserve, Aberdeenshire #TwitterNatureCommunity #TwitterNaturePhotography #NatureGoneWild #naturelovers #naturelover pic.twitter.com/FZTwVz2Ugo
— Ron Macdonald (@ronpon_ron) October 13, 2022
The Waulkmill bird hide has become a hotspot for hooligans.
In March, the nature body reported that windows normally used by nature enthusiasts enjoying their peaceful pastime had been smashed in by louts.
And in a recent update on the repairs, they stated: “Here’s hoping we won’t need to replace any more windows any time soon though…
“We’ve enough to do here without folk making extra work for us.”
The eco-friendly CCTV would be fixed to 6m poles at strategic spots around the hut.
Derelict Ballater croft could become new house
A long-abandoned croft beside the River Dee could become a new two-bedroom home on the outskirts of Ballater.
Applicant Carol Widdows, who lives in Hastings, has lodged the plans.
Local architects say that, despite being disused for decades, the croft has been “kept in a good state of repair”.
There are even plans for a “multi-fuel stove”, described as a requirement in rural areas due to severe storms causing power cuts.
Egg shortages? Not here!
In recent weeks, there have been worrying reports of egg shortages at supermarkets.
Asda started limiting customers to just two boxes at a time, while Lidl set the limit at three amid the crisis caused by soaring feed and energy costs and deadly bird flu outbreaks.
But Farmlay Eggs, which dates back to 1946, is doing its best to keep going – and produce more than ever before.
The firm has submitted plans for two new 70m by 20m sheds to house free-range hens at its Nether Glasslaw site near New Pitsligo.
Golden Square flats plans progress
Days ago, we revealed that plans to turn Aberdeen’s huge old Ruby House office block into 59 flats have been approved.
The council has also now progressed proposals to convert the nearby 6 Golden Square address into 17 flats.
It has been empty since 2014, with a similar application in 2015 failing to materialise.
Under the new scheme from West Coast Estates, the 1821 townhouse facing Golden Square will be turned into eight one and two-bedroom flats.
Another seven would be formed separately in a 1960s rear extension, with two others at roof level.
The council has now given its blessing for changes to the listed building, though overall permission for the project has not yet been granted.
Council paves the way for Investment House scheme too
Elsewhere in the centre, council bosses have cleared the way for the Investment House offices to become 10 flats.
The original plans were lodged by Tom Sutherland in 2020.
By that time the 6 Union Row building had lain empty for a decade, and last May the council backed the transformation project.
But a condition was imposed stating that noise-calming measures be put in place before anyone lives there.
Now, fresh studies have been carried out and council officers say they are “satisfied” the scheme can proceed.
Staff from commercial law firm Paull and Williamsons packed up and left Investment House after 100 years in 2008.
While moving, they unearthed sepia-tinged photos of founders James Paull and Alexander Williamson, dating from the late 19th century.
Former Macduff hotel becoming home as owner battles rising bills
A fishermen’s retreat at Macduff Harbour could be turned into a new six-bedroom home – as its owner faces rocketing energy bills.
The 37 Shore Street property was the Bayview Hotel for many years until its closure.
It spent more than 10 years falling into disrepair until couple Jim Perry and Susan Seui moved in.
They eventually turned the old Bayview into a new fishermen’s retreat in 2018, offering a safe haven for people landing thousands of miles away from home.
However, Jim died of cancer last year and Susan is now seeking permission for the change in a desperate effort to keep a roof over her own head.
Blueprints show how it currently has nine bedrooms along with an arts store, cinema room, craft room and play area across its three floors.
But Susan told us she now spends most of her time keeping warm in the kitchen, having reluctantly closed the retreat.
And now she plans to turn it into a large home, before eventually letting out two rooms on a bed and breakfast basis.
‘I would lose my home’
Susan explained: “At the moment I am paying 17p per unit of electricity, but if I stayed as a commercial unit then it would be 87p per unit by January.
“I just can’t stay in business like that…
“Costs would be going from £3,500 a year to £18,000 a year – and I don’t even make that.
“We charged our guests rock-bottom rates, and we hope we can continue that by letting out two rooms as a B&B in the future.
Keeping going, I wouldn’t be able to sustain myself. I’d lose my home.”
Susan is still able to welcome sailors into the home to offer them help with forms, and she is still known to take them to Aberdeen for food shopping when necessary.
Royal Arch Riverside Park expansion plans in doubt after spat
Divisive plans to expand the Royal Arch Riverside Park, near Fettercairn, have been withdrawn.
The scheme to enhance the caravan site on the former Dowrieburn piggery split opinion among locals, with 22 letters of support and 25 objections.
Monarch Leisure and Park Homes wanted to increase capacity with an extra six chalet pitches, four business units/shops and a spa.
The scheme would also have meant relocating the restaurant and bar while shifting the site office and parking spaces.
On their behalf, LAS Planning explained how the holiday market has changed since the site opened – with growing demand for chalets coupled with the soaring popularity of staycations in the wake of Covid.
They say: “The demand has surpassed the previously consented supply of chalet pitches at Royal Arch Riverside Park.”
Praise for polite pigs as dozens object
But, in her letter of objection, Margaret Gill said an increase in “noisy” holidaymakers would disturb local people and wildlife.
She also claimed that police had been called to a chalet there to break up a fight, amid “profound profanity and threats of violence”.
She added: “Not the environment I’d want my children living mere metres from.”
Angie Blake voiced concerns about an increase in traffic, while others said the area’s public transport was too poor to support such an expansion.
And Mr Gray, a “regular visitor” from Cruden Bay, unfavourably compared visitors to the Royal Arch Riverside Park to the pigs who used to live there.
He said: “Yes the eyesore has perhaps gone…
“But guests staying at the holiday park conduct themselves in such an appalling and inconsiderate manner, with no respect for nearby residents or other holidaymakers.
“Nobody should have to endure such unpleasant and unacceptable behaviour.”
He added: “The pigs that were once housed at Dowrieburn Piggery were impeccably well-behaved and you never heard any disturbance from them.
“One could sit outside and actually enjoy the peace and tranquillity of such a beautiful countryside that the Mearns offers.”
Nearby resident Allan Dickson also blasted the “regular excessive noise and disturbances by customers”, citing “loud music, shouting and screaming late at night”.
Who supported the Royal Arch Riverside Park plans?
Mark Mclean from Bedfordshire implored the council to rubber-stamp the proposal.
He said: “I’ve stayed here twice in the past year, and this holiday park is an absolute credit to the area.”
Elizabeth Kerr from Laurencekirk said the expansion “makes sense”, while Derek Ahern from Aberdeen said it was “lovely, peaceful holiday location”.
Sheree Robb from Montrose added: “This is great for the area, the owner encourages all visitors to visit local shops, bars, restaurants and tourist attractions.
The park is beautiful and well maintained, great to see how it is developing after what was a disused, rundown piggery which was very unattractive for the area.”
Aberdeenshire Council’s economic development department backed the plan too, saying it would “attract further visitors to the area” while creating six new jobs.
Their statement said it would “bring increased economic benefits to the immediate and wider area with additional spend in shops, cafes, and other visitor attractions”.
But weeks later the plans were withdrawn.
Are you for or against the expansion plans? Let us know in our comments section below
Transition Extreme’s BMX track plans
Transition Extreme, a sports charity at Aberdeen beach, will replace a “defective” and “not fit for purpose” bike track with a snazzy modern model.
The Links Road pump track would be “suitable for all ages”, with new grass creating a “soft, safe and natural environment”.
So what exactly is a pump track?
It’s a course of bumps and bends suitable for riders of all skills, as well as being a place for enthusiasts to “relax, watch others and socialise”.
Bosses explain: “As their speed and skill increases, they are able to generate speed from
the corners and rollers without pedalling/pushing, which is the overall concept behind a pump track.
“Although riding without pedalling sounds easy, it is physically much more tiring than pedalling alone.”
Images sent to the council show how the scheme has taken inspiration from others across Europe.
Transition Extreme singles out facilities at Lisbon, Bern in Switzerland and sites all over Scotland in planning papers.
It will be open from Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 10pm, and 9am to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Transition Extreme expects up to 25 users at any one time, with after-school and evening visits being more popular.
Have a look at the Lisbon track inspiring the scheme:
It comes amid ongoing work at the old Hilton Doubletree hotel adjacent to the sports centre.
You can see this week’s plans for yourself using these links:
Derelict Ballater croft could become home
Royal Arch Riverside Park expansion thwarted
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