Welcome to Planning Ahead – our weekly round-up of the latest proposals lodged across the north-east.
Some would have it that this is “Blue Monday”… But if you’re into pool, fancy taking up petanque (or just like planning applications) then we have plenty to put a smile on your face.
The pool hall proposals have been submitted for a former motorcycle showroom at Aberdeen Arches.
And there are also renewed plans to combine two unwanted units in the city centre into a new restaurant – with developers saying they need more time after Covid waylaid their efforts.
Petanque plans at Stonehaven seafront
It’s a pastime more commonly associated with the sun-soaked south of France than the nippy north-east of Scotland…
But a Gallic addition to the Stonehaven seafront is in the works – with plans afoot to bring petanque to the town.
The game, which dates back to ancient Greece, is similar to bowls in that it involves players throwing their balls as close to a target “jack” as they can.
But rather than pristine lawns, it’s played on hard dirt or gravel.
And it’s popular with all ages, especially in the game’s “heartland” of Marseille.
Learn more about the game here:
The Stonehaven Recreational Grounds team has included guidance from the Nottingham City Petanque Club in its submission to Aberdeenshire Council.
Chairman of the English group, Brian Forbes, has advised on how to form the perfect piste, in order to make the game “interesting and a challenge”.
The applicants also want to transform the rest of the large patch just off the coastal “wave garden”.
As well as the petanque piste, there would be a “multi-use games area” for youngsters to play football and basketball.
And an 18-hole putting green would be created on the land at the south of the site, next to the Cowie Water.
Dentist scales back expansion amid rocketing energy costs
Elsewhere in Stonehaven, plans to turn a house into a new dental surgery have been revised amid rising costs.
Dr Kenny Jones, who runs Arduthie Dental Practice, put forward the plans for Bo Ness on Kirkton Road in 2019.
Dr Jones, who has about 20 years of experience in the town, formed the scheme as he was unable to expand the business at the nearby Arduthie Business Centre.
So he bought the house for £261,000 with the idea of transforming it into a “state‐of‐the‐art facility” with three treatment rooms and a lab.
The project would also create improved access for disabled patients, which is “limited” at the current upper-floor practice.
In 2020, Aberdeenshire Council approved the plans.
But now, Dr Jones has had to scale back the ambitious proposal as the business faces the cost-of-living crisis.
New papers sent to the council state: “The approved building was to have been heavily altered and extended to the rear.
“But the ongoing escalation of material and energy costs has meant that the development in its approved form is no longer financially viable.”
He will now do away with a proposed two-storey extension to the rear of the building.
While this will still allow space for the three surgeries, there will be a “minor reduction in staff facilities”.
Huntly dentist’s fence concerns
Meanwhile, another dentist has lodged plans with Aberdeenshire Council…
This time it’s Morven Gordon-Duff – who says changes at Glass Community Hall on the outskirts of Huntly have compromised the privacy of her countryside home.
The clinical director at Deveron Dental Care now wants to put up a 2m wooden fence between the local facility and the big back garden of her Kildonan House property.
The application form states: “This work is necessary following the replacement of the elevated village hall frosted glass windows, with clear windows which now overlook our
back garden.”
The local authority has granted permission for the structure.
Banks o’ Dee stand plans
Good news for Banks o’ Dee supporters, and away fans visiting the occasionally chilly Aberdeen football ground.
The side was newly promoted to the Highland League this season, meaning they now faces challenges from sides across the north.
And now to help accommodate the increased number of visiting supporters, some from as far afield as Wick, they’ve been given permission for a 96-seater stand at their Abbotswell Road home.
Fraserburgh Specsavers approved
Late last year, it emerged that Specsavers was eyeing up a new town centre branch in Fraserburgh.
The Broad Street proposal was welcomed by many, relieved at no longer having to travel to Peterhead for appointments.
But some voiced concerns for the nearby Stephen Cuddy optometrist that has served the Broch for years.
Aberdeenshire Council has now granted permission for the string of changes needed to transform the building.
Former Banchory bus depot could become homes
Three homes could be built on the site of a former bus depot nestled in woods on the outskirts of Banchory.
Dykehills Garage, at Blackhall, was the home of JW Coaches for years before it was taken over by Stagecoach Bluebird in 2000.
The land has now been disused for more than a decade.
The homes proposal has been submitted by George Knox and Derek Clark, who are both listed as directors of Aberdeen-based Carnoustie Links Development Ltd.
In 2012, plans for seven homes there were rejected.
The council said it was too many for the spot, while the previous applicants argued such a number was needed to recoup the costs of decontaminating the ground.
Details on how pollution would be prevented as these works progress have been sent to Aberdeenshire Council, and there are proposals to remove three trees to make way for the large houses.
Each of the big family homes would have four bedrooms.
This is a renewal of plans first submitted and approved in 2016, and some work has previously begun there to clear the area.
Kemnay Travellers site in demand
Plans to expand an Aberdeenshire Travellers site have been approved, years on from its controversial start.
The Stewart family had to take their fight to live at Quarry Wood, near Kemnay, to the Scottish Government in 2017.
It came after the local authority voted against the seven-pitch proposal, and Aberdeenshire West MSP Alexander Burnett said locals were left “dismayed”.
Applicant Alexander Stewart has now secured permission for an extra three pitches at the Greatstone Wood site a mile outside Kemnay.
Each pitch would have space for two touring caravans, alongside a permanent chalet.
Papers submitted by KC Planning say this is to “meet the needs of the extended family”.
Sites occupied ‘as a family unit’
They continue: “Gypsy/Travellers have been part of Scotland’s economic and cultural life since at least the 12th century, celebrating a strong sense of their own culture, traditions and community.
“They have strong and distinctive family and clan identities and relationships, with many of them preferring to live and work in extended family groups.
“On sites throughout Scotland, families occupy sites as a family unit.”
Crumbling Kildrummy cottage in need of upgrades
The new owners of a Kildrummy cottage are planning a package of repairs to bring the old building up to scratch.
A Mr and Mrs Green took over Don View in 2021, after its previous owners had it for 50 years.
Scott Gibb architects say it doesn’t even have a bath or shower – and is “in need of significant upgrading to bring it up to suitable modern living standards”.
The proposed works include removing the timber extension which currently houses the kitchen and toilet, fully renovating and insulating the cottage and installing a bath and shower.
A new extension would host a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom, while another extension would have an open plan kitchen/dining/living area.
A new ground source heatpump and solar panels would be added, to provide heating and hot water.
Altogether, the changes would double the size of the property.
Extra time needed to find taker for empty Union Street space
We are approaching three years since the outbreak of coronavirus, and a time when it felt like the world stood still.
What, you might ask, does that have to do with planning?
Well, it could mean a slew of delayed developments need to seek renewed permission in order to eventually become reality.
It’s something Planning Ahead touched on last week, with more time sought to bring a new drive-thru at Altens to fruition.
That is just one of many projects that have failed to get off the ground in the three-year window allotted by the council.
Developers Scottish Equitable PLC has also had to put their hopes on hold when it comes to rejuvenating the 225-227 space next to Burger King on Union Street.
The old Shuropody health store at 225 Union Street has been empty since 2014, while the former Greggs next door has lain vacant for about five years.
The developers were given permission to combine them in 2018, forming one new restaurant.
They “almost” secured an operator…
But they say that, with hospitality and retail pounded by the pandemic, they were ultimately “unable to implement” their vision.
Savills estate agents say: “The Covid-19 pandemic has made it difficult to secure a tenant.”
But they are pleading for the council to grant the renewed consent needed to potentially reduce the number of vacant premises along Union Street.
What sort of restaurant would you like to see on Union Street? Let us know in our comments section below
Aberdeen Arches pool hall plans
Finally, the former home of Aberdeen’s Shirlaw’s Suzuki at the Arches on South College Street could be in line for a new lease of life as a pool hall.
Shotz Pool, which has branches in Dundee and Arbroath, is eager to turn the historic railway arch into its latest venue.
Applicant Ryan Fleming wants to create a “professional standard pool playing facility”.
How big would pool hall be?
Signage proposed for the building would boast of the “10 elite standard eight-ball pool tables” and their “professional grade lighting, equipment and scoring tablets”.
It would come with a bar, seating area and TVs showing live sports.
The former showroom would have a maximum capacity of 80 people and remain open from 11am to midnight seven days a week.
No parking spaces are proposed for it, and the council’s roads team say this would result in a “worsening” of the situation in the area.
But officers say it’s “common” for businesses around the Arches to have no spaces attached, suggesting it’s unlikely many patrons will choose to drive as the venue sells alcohol.
They add: “Furthermore, the site is readily accessible on foot, and is a short distance from both the bus and train stations.”
Two years ago, Shotz founder Mr Fleming hit the headlines when he spent nine hours creating a staggering 250ft trick shot.
The Aberdeen Arches pool hall plans come as the city experiences a rise in the popularity of so-called competitive socialising.
There are plans for an arcade bar at the former Espionage, the Beach Bar has proven a hit and Hatchet Harry’s is pulling in punters just an axe’s throw away at the Arches.
And you can see this week’s plans for yourself using these links:
Fraserburgh Specsavers approved
Aberdeen Arches pool hall plans
