Councillors have been urged to reject plans for an ambitious roadside restaurant, hotel and filling station development.
The Mains of Luther site – built just off the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee road – would consist of a farm shop, restaurant, cafe, steak house, small hotel, a petrol station and four shop units which are aimed at local businesses.
It is estimated the Visit Scotland-backed development, near Laurencekirk, would inject between £2-3 million into the Mearns annually and would be “a local attraction and destination”.
Plans lodged to transform derelict A90 filling station into garden centre
Proposals for the 13 acre development – which could create up to 117 jobs – have been put forward by Halliday, Fraser, Munro on behalf of Luther Farm Developments on land that has been worked by the Robertson family for three generations.
The project, which is modelled on the Tebay and Gloucester Services, will be discussed by the Kincardine and Mearns area committee on Tuesday.
However planning officers have recommended that councillors reject the developer’s application for planning permission in principle.
In a report which will be discussed by committee, planners have raised concerns about transport access to the site.
While there is adequate access for cars stopping for fuel, officers argued the development would also pull in people seeking to use the various facilities on offer which would require better access for cyclists, pedestrians and public transport.
They also suggesta the site is not well-connected to any nearby town or village so would be dependant on motorists, which would have a negative impact on the environmental.
However the applicant has argued it has plans for electric car charging points would help promote sustainable transport to the area.
Officers have also pointed out that the site is not earmarked for development in the council’s local development plan.
The report states: “As stated above and discussed in detail, the planning service is of the opinion the site is not closely related to a settlement and is not conveniently accessible by different modes of transport other than the car.
“On balance, and having considered the potential economic and social benefits put forward by the applicant, this service does not consider these to have sufficient weight to set aside the numerous local development plan policies to which the proposal fails to comply with. Therefore the application is recommended for refusal.”
Calli Hopkinson, owner of Luther Farm Services Ltd, said: “An independent economic impact assessment has concluded that this development is in line with national and regional economic strategies and could deliver around 100 new jobs and over £3million to the local economy each year.
“We’re very disappointed to note that the recommendation to the Kincardine and Mearns committee is one of refusal but hope that the committee is able to recognise the unique local and regional benefits that this project will create for south Aberdeenshire.
“The decision on the 15th will determine what happens next but we are very much looking forward to being able to progress the development and bring this exciting project to life.”
