Plans to convert a disused pub near Aberdeen city centre into a supermarket have been rejected, following more than 100 objections.
West Coast Estates launched a bid to transform the site of the Ferryhill Tavern into a Co-operative store earlier this year and claimed the £1.5million investment would transform the derelict building.
But the application received more than 150 letters of objection from nearby residents who claimed it was not needed and would lead to traffic congestion on South College Street.
Members of Aberdeen City Council’s planning committee took note of their views and voted against the application yesterday.
Damian Lewis, the local authority’s development manager, said the development would lead to an “unacceptable impact on residential dwellings” nearby.
He added: “The proposal could result in severe congestion and would have a detrimental impact on road and pedestrian safety.
“This is due to the combination of insufficient parking, the inherent issues of using Bank Street for deliveries due to its residential nature, and steep and narrow layout, and the nature of South College Street as an important and busy thoroughfare between the city centre and the south of Aberdeen.”
“The proposed location of a loading bay would be in front of a residential building on Bank Street.
“Due to their nature, deliveries of goods to convenience stores would result in an unacceptable increase of noise, potentially early in the morning, which would have an unacceptable impact on the residential amenity of these residential dwellings.”
Iftikar Mian, director of West Coast Estates, said he will now review the decision.
He explained: “We are disappointed that councillors chose to refuse the application which would have not only seen new jobs and investment in Aberdeen, but brought a prominent disused building back into economic and active use.
“We will now review the decision taken.”
Elsewhere the council approved plans for new student accommodation near the city centre.
SHC Developments LLP succeeded in a bid to transform the former family home at 597 Holburn Street into a four-storey development block containing 46 flats.
Councillors on the committee agreed an extra condition for the application – stating it could only be occupied by students in higher education in Aberdeen.