Council planners say Dutch Mill marquee must go as ‘unacceptable’ visual impact is more important than saving jobs

By Ben Hendry

February 3 2023, 6:00 am

The Dutch Mill could see plans to save new jobs with a replacement marquee refused at a council meeting. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

Jobs could be lost at the Dutch Mill as councillors have been urged to reject plans to retain a marquee at the venue.

The hotel and bar issued grave warnings of “considerable” redundancies when Aberdeen City Council ordered the removal of its popular shelter by the end of January.

The local authority said the large white structure, erected to keep business afloat during the pandemic, looked out of place in its granite surroundings.

In a bid to keep al fresco service alive at the Queens Road site, Dutch Mill bosses applied to instead put up a smaller £30,000 marquee designed to blend in with the rest of the street.

This design shows the replacement marquee the Dutch Mill wants to erect. The 15m by 15m structure would be shorter than the one already there, and sit 6.15m back from the wall. Image: Davidson Smith architects

As well as unavoidable job losses, they warned of a knock-on impact on the local economy if the new application is rejected and they have to go completely without.

But officers say this would still “have an unacceptable impact” on the historic Albyn area, with any business benefits being “outweighed” by its appearance.

Officers say the canopy is an eyesore in the traditional area. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

Why do council officers say Dutch Mill marquee should be refused?

Councillors will decide the plans at a meeting on Thursday, February 9.

In advance of the talks, officers have penned a report outlining why it should be rejected.

They say: “Due to the location of the structure in the frontage area of the building, its form and proposed materials, it is considered that the proposal would have an unacceptable impact on the character of the Albyn/Rubislaw Conservation Area.”

The venue has enjoyed some huge popularity since putting up the canopy in the midst of the pandemic. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

Officers also warn that approving the scheme could “set an undesirable precedent” for other such canopies to spring up along the street.

And they conclude: “These considerations outweigh the benefits to the business, local economy and community.

“In the context of Covid-19 social distancing requirements being eased, it is considered that there is no longer any compelling justification for this development.”

We broke the news of the potential job losses in December. Image: Roddie Reid/DC Thomson

However, elected members could defy the recommendation by rubber-stamping the scheme.

Scores of supporters have flooded the council with messages calling for the marquee plans to be approved.

Between the middle of December and the end of January, a staggering 465 people backed the Dutch Mill plans.

They questioned why the authority would choose to hammer the profits of the local firm by removing it, saying Aberdeen “needs more” outdoor dining options.

The Dutch Mill is a C-listed former villa that dates back to the 19th century. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

Anna McErlean, from Broomhill Road, said: “Please don’t take away the rare good few spots of Aberdeen that we have.”

Just six people objected.

What do opponents say?

That included Vera and Willie Jaffray, who bemoaned parking problems caused by covering up the 15 parking spaces at the front.

They added: “The marquee is lowering the tone of the area and stands out like a
sore thumb, which in my opinion is out of character for this residential area.”

Stephen Main, who lives nearby, said the loss of room for vehicles leads to “illegal and anti-social parking” on roads in the area.