The bizarre saga of a north-east toilet which was earmarked as an eatery has ended – after councillors agreed to build a house in its place.
Attempts to transform Turriff’s disused conveniences on Duff Street into a hot food takeaway were twice rejected by members of the Formartine area committee.
But yesterday members unanimously approved alternative plans to turn the toilet block into a single-storey, one-bedroom home.
Mid-Formartine councillor Jim Gifford said the altered proposals were a “much better idea” than another takeaway.
However, concerns were raised about the impact the works would have on the busy A947 Banff to Aberdeen road.
Turriff councillor Alisan Norrie raised concerns about how the demolition of the toilet block and subsequent construction of the house would impact traffic on the road.
A representative from the local authority’s roads department confirmed that a traffic management system of temporary lights and pedestrian access would be put in place.
Councillor Paul Johnston raised concerns about where the lone occupant would store two council wheelie bins
on the property, which will not have a garden or garage space.
But planning officer Alan Davidson said the planning department were “satisfied” the owner would make alternative arrangements.
And in a report to the committee, director of infrastructure services Stephen Archer said: “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.”
Serious concerns had been raised about the impact converting the toilets into an eatery would have on road safety and neighbouring residents at the committee’s meeting on September 1.
The original scheme met with a flurry of local objections, but no objections have been lodged in respect of the house.