Long-running plans to convert a set of public toilets in a north-east town will take a new twist next week.
Attempts transform Turriff’s conveniences on Duff Street into a hot food takeaway have twice been rejected by councillors on the Formartine area committee – most recently at the start of this month.
Now plans to convert the toilets into a house have been lodged, which planning chiefs say would be “acceptable”.
Members of the group will consider turning the block into single-storey, one-bedroom house on Tuesday.
In a report, director of infrastructure services Stephen Archer, said the plans would not cause any significant loss of open space.
“The planning service considers the proposal to be acceptable in terms of design, in that the development respects the character of both Duff Street and Turriff in general,” he states.
“In addition the development is not likely to cause any adverse overlooking or privacy issues on the surrounding area.”
The development would not, however, create any new parking spaces for the residents of the house.
Serious concerns had been raised about the impact converting the toilets into eatery would have on road safety and neighbouring residents at the committee’s meeting on September 1.
A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said members had thrown out the proposals because they did not comply with planning policy.
She said: “It was refused on the grounds that the proposed site was not appropriate for the development due to road safety concerns and the negative impact on the amenity of the surrounding residents.”
The original scheme met with a flurry of local objections, but no objections have been lodged in respect of the house.