Plans to demolish an Aberdeen hotel to make way for 68 flats have been approved by city councillors.
The Cloverleaf Hotel in Bucksburn will be bulldozed under the affordable homes proposals put forward by the Stewart Milne Group.
Planning committee members yesterday backed the Kepplehills Road scheme, subject to conditions and a legal agreement with the developer.
The new flats would be built in two blocks, with the first would contain 36 properties in a mix of two and three storey sections, and the second containing 32 flats in two smaller blocks, one with three floors and another with four.
Councillor Ramsay Milne, convener of the planning development management committee, said: “It is regrettable that the Cloverleaf Hotel is closing as it is a much-loved social hub for many in the locality.
“It is not, however, within the powers of the council to ensure its retention.
“This development will, however, provide some much-needed affordable accommodation in the Bucksburn area, which will compliment work ongoing by this council to address the shortage of low-cost housing across the city.”
The application was referred to the committee because more than five letters of representation were submitted to the planning authority.
Bucksburn and Newhills Community Council objected on the grounds that the proposals represented an “over-development” of the site, that the scale of the scheme would be out of character with the local area, that there could be a detrimental impact on local schools and roads.
The scheme is to include 55 parking spaces, five motorcycle spots and 70 bicycle bays, while bin stores and amenity space would be provided within a central court yard to the rear of the development.
Pedestrian access would be from two points on Sclattie Park and three points to Kepplehills Road.
Councillors unanimously agreed the recommendation from planning officers to agree to approve the application, subject to the legal agreement to ensure the development is solely restricted to affordable housing.
Developer contributions towards primary and secondary education, the core path network, open space and the Strategic Transport Fund will also have to be agreed.