A scheme to redevelop the grounds of a historic Aberdeenshire mansion will go before councillors for the second time next week after hitting set-backs earlier in the year.
Plans to build a total of 14 new homes on the grounds of Elrick House, near Newmachar, will be discussed at a meeting of the Garioch area committee on Tuesday.
The plans contain two separate applications, one for six new dwellings and one for eight dwellings.
The committee previously delayed making a decision about the creation of six new homes at its meeting on June 21 after councillors felt the two applications should be considered in unison.
Proposals are already in place to create a gin distillery and restaurant at the site, but councillors voiced their concerns over the two applications coming to the committee separately and unanimously decided to delay a decision.
At the meeting, East Garioch councillor Martin Ford said: “We want to see this thing restored.
If it was not an enabling development, we would not be supporting this in the countryside.
“The issue is this package of six [homes] and another package of eight.
“I think it is very difficult to gauge when we only have the six in front of us.
“We can’t make the decision with this little part of the whole.”
Committee chairman, Fergus Hood added: “I would support everything you said. But I would go further and formally propose a deferral on this application, so we can have the applications in front of us to consider the whole package.
“I think what we have got here is part of a package.”
The money from the development would fund the restoration of the B-listed property, which dates back to the 1700s.
It would also allow for the refurbishment of the estate’s walled garden, new pathways and a C-listed doocot.
The new dwellings, if approved would be built in two U-shaped courtyard developments.
Stephen Archer, director of infrastructure services for Aberdeenshire council, advised that the two applications should be approved.
He wrote: “The proposed development accords with the development plan and there are no material considerations which indicate that permission should be refused.”
