Welcome to Planning Ahead – our weekly round-up of the latest proposals lodged across the north-east.
Our first instalment of February shines a light on a wrangle over an unauthorised fence in the Powis area of Aberdeen.
While some may empathise with having problem neighbours, the council has taken a dim view of the work…
Elsewhere, we feature plans to enhance woodland paths in Aboyne and to install an underground cellar beneath an Ellon garden.
Firstly, we look at an idea to bring a kid-friendly cafe to the centre of Aberdeen.
New idea tabled for furniture shop
There’s a proposal to turn the Ewen and Company furniture shop at 260-262 George Street into a cafe and play centre.
Applicant Eyup Simpil says the new venture, to be named Osman’s, would serve the likes of tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes, baked potatoes, baguettes and sandwiches.
They want to run it from 9am to 10pm.
It would also have an area for youngsters to enjoy themselves while their parents and guardians tuck into their meals.
There would be soft play equipment, and the opportunity for role-play games.
And the plans even include a “party room” so the cafe could stage high-spirited birthday bashes.
It comes after the building was put up for rent.
Mr Simpil, a businessman from Turkey, runs Osman’s Cuts on Guild Street.
Victoria Street office becoming flat
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city centre, an unwanted office building could become a five-bedroom home.
The 42 Victoria Street address is the former home of the Brander oil and gas recruitment firm.
But since it was acquired by Atlas professionals in 2019, owner Ian Brander has been unable to sell or rent it as a workplace.
The building dates back to the 1840s, when famous Aberdeen architect Archibald Simpson designed the street.
Mr Brander’s agents, Northmill Associates, say the changes will return it back to its historic use.
Permission sought for more years of fun in Banchory
Aberdeen-based SK Leisure is applying to renew the temporary permission granted to Bellfield Amusements in Banchory town centre.
The mini-funfair on Dee Street has a modest selection of rides and games for youngsters to enjoy.
Now Aberdeenshire Council is being asked to confirm its presence there for another five years – or 10 “if possible”.
Stonehaven therapy room proposed
Adela Miron wants to change an annex at 6 Barclay Street in Stonehaven into a new therapy room and office.
Mrs Miron is listed as a director of the dormant Teddy’s Rack mail order sales firm that was based at the town centre spot.
Jailhouse flock at old Stonehaven Sheriff Court
In days gone by Stonehaven Sheriff Court saw its fair share of jailbirds – but now plans are being formed to make the building a welcoming place for the feathered variety.
The council is applying to install seven swift boxes on the walls of the B-listed 18th century building.
Environment experts have welcomed the “positive action” to benefit a “threatened species”.
Swift boxes are seen as a way to boost declining numbers as natural bird habitats disappear.
The building is owned and managed by the Stonehaven Towns Partnership Operation after being closed as a court in 2014.
Inverurie home to be split into three
Plans have been submitted by Stonehaven-based real estate firm J2M Holdings for a property beside Inverurie’s railway station.
Under the proposal, Burnbank Cottage on Port Road could be extended to form one three-bedroom house and a pair of two-bedroom flats.
Large cellar could be built beneath Ellon garden
Ellon resident Slawoimin Rakoczy is applying for permission to create an underground cellar measuring 5m by 10m beneath their back garden.
The forms sent to Aberdeenshire Council do not describe its use but say discussions with planners have flagged no concerns about it.
Greyfriars House latest
Late last year, it emerged that plans to build flats over the site of the flattened Greyfriars House offices in Aberdeen had encountered difficulties.
Owners Telereal Trillium spent £350,000 demolishing it to make way for 140 homes there.
But they have yet to get the project off the ground, with builders “nervous” amid “volatile” market conditions.
In a bid to ease the process, bosses appealed to Aberdeen City Council to remove some of the conditions placed on the project.
Local authority bosses have now agreed to waive the stipulation that any development should be connected to the Aberdeen District Heat and Power Network.
Telereal described it as a “potential block” on the plans ever coming to fruition, and council planners concurred.
They said: “Strict compliance with the condition as currently worded could unduly restrict or delay the development from taking place.”
Aboyne Castle woods in line for £200k upgrades
With spring on the horizon, many are looking forward to once again exploring the scenic north-east countryside.
And plans put forward by the Aboyne Paths and Tracks Group could open up a new corner of the great outdoors.
Members want to improve the existing “informal” paths around the Aboyne Castle woods to ensure they are fit for wheelchair users or people with mobility issues.
These paths would link to the section of the Deeside Way on the outskirts of the town more effectively, with new ramps added at the popular walking and cycling route.
New signs pointing the way towards the woodland walks would also be put up.
The woodland is just north of the A93, and accessed from Victory Hall to the east.
The improved walkways would be cared for by the 40 members of the Aboyne Paths and Tracks Group.
Landowner Dinnet Estate has signed off on the improvements, while Aboyne Castle owner Alistair Aboyne has backed the scheme too.
Papers sent to Aberdeenshire Council seeking permission estimate the overall cost of the project as £208,000.
New water taps for parched woodland wanderers
And freshly lodged plans for a new water tap in Aboyne could come in handy for anyone who has built up a thirst while stretching their legs.
The tap would be just across the A93 road from the aforementioned Victory Hall.
The application has been submitted by Scottish Water, who have installed dozens of drinking fountains like this across the nation.
Aberdeen woman took matters into her own hands with rogue fence
A row has broken out over an unauthorised fence a Powis Crescent woman built after she said members of her family felt “intimidated” by new neighbours.
Ruma Begum, her nine-year-old son and her mother live together on the ground floor of a detached block of four flats.
The front garden, she says, is jointly owned by Flat A and Flat C – and problems arose a few months ago when a “large family” arrived to live in another flat.
Why the need for the fence?
Ms Begum, in a submission to the council, said this “had a massive impact on our sense of privacy and security”.
She claims the new neighbours would spend most days in the back garden, with “several dogs”.
The situation, Ms Begum argued, left her mum feeling so “intimidated” that she stopped going to the back garden to hang clothes.
She also explained that, as a child protection social worker, she travels all over the north – leaving her mother to look after her boy.
It was with all this in mind that Ms Begum decided to replace a small metal fence with the bulky wooden barrier now in place.
This “afforded the flats a level of privacy which was not afforded by the previous fence”.
Fence has ‘made a massive difference’
The applicant added: “The new fence has provided our family with a private area
to play and relax and at times to work.
“Since the erection of the fence, it has provided our family with a private and secure
area and made a massive difference.”
And she also suggests the now-private garden would offer some “vital” space in the event of another lockdown.
Papers submitted to Aberdeen City Council say she didn’t realise planning permission was needed for the structure.
But Ms Begum says she was given the housing team’s blessing before proceeding.
She claims they told her it would be fine as long as it wasn’t taller than 2m (and the fence has deliberately been built to be 1.9m high).
But after the documents were lodged in September, others soon weighed in with their views.
Bill Harrison said it should be torn down because of its “visual impact and height”.
And David Massie, from nearby Bedford Road, said: “It’s unsafe as close to a corner of a road, and blocks view to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.”
Do you think the fence should have been allowed to stay? Let us know in our comments section below
What did the council say about Powis Crescent fence?
Local authority planning chiefs didn’t sit on the fence when it came to their views.
A report slammed its “significant adverse visual impact on the existing streetscape and on the residential character of the area”.
Officers called it “incongruous” and “intrusive” while saying approval could set a risky precedent.
Though Ms Begum has the right to appeal, she now faces the prospect of undoing the work.
You can see this week’s plans for yourself using these links:
Aberdeen office could become home
Powis fence debate
Conversation