A councillor has warned the local authority is setting a “dangerous precedent” after turning down a controversial Home of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) application in an area popular with students.
Old Aberdeen Community Council had objected to the retrospective plan for 635 King Street- despite the home operating as an HMO for the past seven years.
And yesterday, councillors on the planning committee voted to reject the HMO application after a stormy debate.
SNP members Muriel Jaffray and Bill Cormie raised concerns about upkeep of gardens and potential over-provision of multiple occupancy properties in the city.
Other major administration figures like deputy leader Marie Boulton and finance vice-convener Ross Thomson also went against recommendation for approval and the application was defeated by nine votes to eight.
Last night conservative councillor Alan Donnelly said: “I really think the committee has made the wrong decision on this and we are setting a dangerous precedent by turning it down.
“We assumed that these homes will be taken by students but that isn’t necessarily the case – we need many more public sector staff in this city and these homes are popular with these people.
“Even if it is students, the university has been in Old Aberdeen for more than 500 years. Are we saying we don’t want more students to come to the city?
“In the present economic climate we need to encourage people and businesses to move here.”
But Mrs Boulton said she had fears that a large provision of HMOs can lead to a lack of community cohesion.