Neighbours claim a “smelly” Aberdeen takeaway means they can’t even hang out their washing on the line.
Granma’s Kitchen started cooking up hot meals for customers to take away last year, without securing the correct consent from the council.
The Cornhill Road eatery is just across the road from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, and surrounded by houses.
Angry neighbours soon complained about the waft of meals…
Why did cafe need permission to sell takeaways?
The cafe is one of three shop units built in the 1930s, and a long-established Chinese takeaway is just one door down.
But the unit sits in the middle of a residential area, with the nearest property just eight metres away.
And Aberdeen City Council placed some conditions on the cafe back in 2012 when giving it the go-ahead to open.
The first restricted it from frying food to prevent any “nuisance” to the neighbourhood from cooking smells.
Its menu currently includes various dishes from a full Scottish breakfast and burgers, to stovies, paninis, and curry.
Granma’s Kitchen also serves a selection of sweet treats such as sundaes, cakes, pancakes and waffles.
The owners said the change was needed after a “dramatic change to eating-out culture” during the pandemic made takeaway meals more popular.
Does council have the power to control what a takeaway sells?
Rosemount and Mile End Community Council opposed the takeaway proposal while 13 letters of objection were submitted to the local authority.
As well as worries over cooking smells, those against the plans feared litter could end up in gardens nearby and attract seagulls.
Senior planner Robert Forbes argued that the cafe closes at 8pm so that would curb any smell issues and deliveries.
And he said the council couldn’t order the eatery to alter its menu as it would be “unduly restrictive” and “difficult to justify”.
And, the planning chief claimed that adding a flue would create a “betterment” as there isn’t any odour control at the cafe at the moment.
What do the Granma’s Kitchen neighbours say?
Neighbour George Crossland attended the meeting to voice his concerns, telling councillors “this is no little cafe”.
He said the eatery had been operating as a takeaway “for a long time” and claimed it had an “extensive Just Eat menu“.
“There will be more noise in this area and there will be more odours,” he added.
“Odours are tangible and settle on any surface they strike such as surrounding houses and gardens.
“This leads us to wonder, are we only allowed to open our side window when it suits them?
“Have we to book a date to stick our washing out?
“Are we to be restricted in the simple pleasure of sitting in our garden? Everyday things that people do.”
He added: “We cannot go about our daily lives, we are reliant on what happens next door.”
What did the committee have to say about the Granma’s Kitchen takeaway?
Councillor Jennifer Bonsell spoke on behalf of Mr Crossland and his wife.
She visited the couple’s home in June, and noted she was “surprised” by the strong smells in the couple’s garden.
Ms Bonsell explained that the odour did not come from cooking in the house, but she was unsure exactly where the pong came from.
But despite these concerns, committee members backed the proposal.
Councillor Marie Boulton asked for officers to make conditions placed on the cafe are enforced to give residents comfort.
You can see the plans here.
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