Join us for our regular weekly look at some of the latest planning applications lodged with Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils.
This week we have a look at plans that might incite some “home office envy” in those of us who spent lockdown hunkered over our kitchen tables…
A Methlick TV cameraman is seeking permission to build a swish new workplace in the field beside his home, allowing him a dedicated space to work in peace.
And a north-east entrepreneur is keen to turn a historic steading into a dream home outside Stonehaven.
But first, a popular pizzeria has been impressing customers since opening months ago – but its lights are dazzling neighbours…
Pizza parlour told to turn off glowing signage
Residents in the Pittodrie area are likening a new takeaway’s illuminated signage to the moon hitting their eye like a big pizza pie.
And now Aberdeen City Council is refusing Big Mannys’ Pizza permission to keep the lights on after evaluating their impact.
It comes after a neighbour complained that the beaming orbs had been put in place without permission when the takeaway opened in January, saying it “lights up directly into his lounge”.
The local authority has now rejected an appeal to keep them in place, saying they “have an adverse impact on visual and residential amenity” with an “inappropriate” size and design.
Planning bosses add: “The signage does not have a positive impact on the surrounding area.”
But with the growing price of electric bills, maybe the council is doing Big Mannys’ a favour.
New Turkish restaurant coming to the Academy?
Meanwhile, a new Turkish restaurant could soon be opening in a long-vacant unit at The Academy mall in Aberdeen.
The empty space faces onto the courtyard and has been unoccupied for about two years.
The proposed Turkish restaurant would have 50 seats, and there are no plans to seek an alcohol licence at present while the operators focus on food.
Have a look around the unit with this video:
It comes at a time when Aberdeen City Council is trying to promote a “cafe culture” in the surrounding Belmont Street area, and just weeks after the Kirk View Cafe took over the old Pizza Express nearby.
Covid slammed the brakes on Aberdeenshire campsite plans
Plans have been lodged to prolong work on a campsite at Woodside of Byth, near Turriff.
The site will ultimately boast a reception and cafe, shower block and five yurts.
Permission was granted for the scheme in 2018, with applicant Norman Duguid doing as much as he could around his full-time job.
The site has already been cleared, with fly-tipped rubbish removed and drainage installed.
But work was halted due to coronavirus, and now Mr Duguid is seeking approval to keep his temporary residential caravan on the site for another three years to get the new business up and running.
Historic lodge rescued from ruin
A lodge at the B-listed Manar House mansion outside Inverurie is to be spruced up 10 years after being declared “at risk”.
The circular East Gate Lodge dates back to around 1800 but has fallen into disrepair in the last 30 years.
Dean Horspool, who is renovating the Georgian manor, has now lodged plans to renovate and extend the historic building.
Mr Horspool wants to restore and extend the lodge to turn it into a new house.
Images sent to Aberdeenshire Council show how the circular building would become the living room, with a wood-burning stove as the centrepiece.
Old Matalan to be used as storage site
Another abandoned site in for a new lease of life, albeit one of less historic value, is the former Matalan on Constitution Street in Aberdeen.
Plans to knock it down for student flats came and went in 2019, following the store’s relocation to the Berryden retail park.
CoVault HQ Ltd, which is based in Glasgow, now wants to turn it into its newest Storage Vault site.
The company, which has facilities across Scotland, offers secure space for businesses and members of the public.
Golf club wants to keep marquee for another summer
Deeside Golf Club, at Bieldside, is asking to put up its marquee again this summer.
And management want permission to erect the al fresco area from the end of March until late October for the next five years.
The canopy beside the clubhouse was first put up in response to Covid restrictions on indoor hospitality.
New Banchory homes
Plans have been formed to demolish bungalows to make way for four new homes in Banchory.
They would replace existing properties at 13, 15 and 17 Raemoir Road.
The two-storey semi-detached buildings would have three bedrooms, “generous gardens” and are described as “low-cost homes”.
Stonehaven steading revamp
Ben and Katie Leonard are planning to turn an abandoned steading outside Stonehaven into a dream home.
Under blueprints sent to the council, the building will have four bedrooms and its own music room.
And a yoga room would be created in an outbuilding.
Papers submitted by architect Annie Kenyon detail how Kernoon Steading would have stunning panoramic views of the North Sea.
Ben Leonard started the Beast Gear fitness clothing company in 2016 – and it was worth millions just two years later.
Described as the “classic millennial entrepreneur”, he now runs an e-commerce consultancy.
Permission needed for Aberdeen CBD shop
Cannabis oil is becoming increasingly popular as a natural remedy to certain ailments.
Without the “mind-altering” properties of the plant, it can help with chronic pain conditions and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
And it’s even proven helpful for some older dogs, putting a spring back in their step as their aches and pains melt away.
CBD Land, just yards away from Pittodrie on Park Road, is retroactively applying for permission after changing storage premises into a shop.
Papers lodged with the council say it was only intended as an office and “pick-up point” for online sales.
But an inspector visited and told them permission was required for the change of use.
Home office at Methlick looks like dream workplace
During lockdown, many of us had to adapt to working from home.
For some, that meant hours spent hunched over a laptop in the spare room or trying to keep children and pets quiet during video calls.
Now David Williamson has devised the perfect solution for ensuring the ideal work/life balance when out of the office.
Mr Williamson runs Standing Tree Productions, working as a professional cameraman and photographer.
As well as providing storage space for equipment, the proposed studio will offer a peaceful retreat to edit and review footage – or even for children to do their homework.
Plan will ‘redefine’ line between work and home
Papers lodged with Aberdeenshire Council say the proposal will “alleviate the stresses and strains associated with many members of the family working from home at the same time”.
The application states: “Importantly, it will allow the applicant to have a dedicated space to work from rather than their spare room or dining table, a situation many have found themselves in over the past few years.
“[It will] help redefine the lines between work and home life that have become so
crucial since the start of the pandemic.”
You can inspect, support or object to the plans via these links:
Lodge at mansion near Inverurie
Plans for former Aberdeen Matalan
