Welcome to Planning Ahead – our weekly round-up of the latest proposals lodged across the north-east.
This Monday’s instalment comes after millions of us enjoyed the first Eurovision song contest to be held in the UK since 1998.
But what plans are our local authorities making their minds up on? Which ones will be getting “just a little bit” of support, and which are facing their Waterloo?
As always, our round-up contains all kinds of everything…
Belmont Street cafe seeking renewed permission for marquee
The pandemic has left many lasting changes in society – and one of the most visible on our streets is the growth of outdoor hospitality.
Huts propped up as a necessity during the dark days of Covid look like they could be here to stay, with customers increasingly fond of the airy spaces.
Now Books and Beans, in Aberdeen city centre, wants to keep its shelter for another year.
But, more than that, owner John Wigglesworth wants to shift the structure out into the pedestrianised thoroughfare to free up the pavement currently blocked by it.
The marquee would also be slightly downsized, to address issues raised about its “visual impact” on the street.
It’s shared with the neighbouring JoJo’s cafe – which Mr Wigglesworth says “shows positive community collaboration between businesses in the area”.
Aberdeen west end office to become home
A vacant B-listed two-and-a-half storey townhouse on Aberdeen’s Rubislaw Place could soon be turned back into a home.
The property, which has latterly been an office complex, was designed by Archibald Simpson and dates back to the mid 1800s.
Council heritage chiefs have now paved the way for it to be transformed back to its original use as housing.
Under the plans, still to gain full permission, a string of internal changes will take place to turn the building into a pair of flats.
One three-bedroom flat would be spread across the basement and ground floors, while another would be created over the first and second levels.
Council officers say the plan would help bring the empty building back into use, “preserving it for future generations”.
Have a look around with this video released as it was being unsuccessfully marketed as an office premises:
New signs as park ‘rebrand’ is pencilled in
Aden Country Park’s signs could be replaced as Aberdeenshire Council seeks to “rebrand” the Mintlaw visitor attraction.
Two possible options have been designed, with the local authority hopeful they will “improve visibility” from Station Road.
The 230-acre park has its own agricultural museum, caravan and camping area and a small shop and cafe.
A new website was created part of the same Lottery-funded project a few months ago.
Which one do you like best?
Wedding venue wants to put up marquee
Meanwhile, the House of Elrick wedding venue at Newmachar wants permission to put up a new marquee for at least five years.
It would be created in garden ground, and used for weddings and events.
Storm-hit farm buildings at Oldmeldrum could become home
David and Tracey Little want to demolish a redundant steading and cattle court at Howe of Blair, near Oldmeldrum, to make way for a new four-bedroom house.
They have lived at a converted steading there since 1997 and have now launched plans for the plot beside their own property.
An unused sand arena, unsuitable for horses to ride on, would also be developed under the proposal.
Papers submitted to Aberdeenshire Council by Allison Joy Architects say the new house would have “beautiful open views of adjacent fields”.
They also explain that the cattle court was already crumbling when the roof was blasted to bits by Storm Arwen in late 2021.
Repairs have since been carried out, but it’s still leaking.
What’s the story with the unused riding area?
The architects also explain that the sand arena was built 15 years ago – but isn’t used any more because it was filled with “incorrect sand”.
That means it’s full of sinkholes, which create an “uneven surface” which could result in horses tripping and becoming injured.
It would become a wildflower meadow under the new vision for the site.
Government rules mean Peterhead fish plant needs bigger base – and old soup silos will be crushed
Plans to expand the Northbay Pelagic fish processing plant at Peterhead’s port could do away with the final traces of the town’s long-closed food factory…
Workers at the huge building process tonnes of mackerel and herring every year, but bosses reckon more room will soon be needed as a result of government rule changes.
The new system, which is being phased in across the next two years, means that 55% of the fish caught by Scottish trawlers will need to be brought ashore at Scottish harbours.
At the moment, the Peterhead firm’s fleet lands most of its catch in Norway.
And the entire sector fears huge losses as pelagic fish landed and processed there are a premium product, attracting high prices.
They say the new legislation could mean one vessel loses out on as much as £1.5 million per annum.
And the situation has proven so contentious that the pelagic industry is taking ministers to court over the ruling.
However, in the meantime, Northbay Pelagic is preparing to “accommodate the impact of the new targets”.
They say: “This will have the impact of increasing processing demand by as much as 30k to 50k tonnes in 2023 and up to 50k to 80k tonnes by 2025.
“Currently the four main pelagic processors in Scotland do not have the capacity to cope with this demand and it will take increased efforts by all four of these processors.”
‘New building will be required’
Papers sent to Aberdeenshire Council explain that Northbay Pelagic currently processes 25,000 tonnes per year at the Peterhead plant, and this is now set to rise to 35,000.
The firm adds: “This proposal is to therefore increase the capacity for cold storage of pelagic fish caught in UK waters.
“In order to do this a new cold store building will be required.”
As well as this, a new loading bay would be created along with extra staff parking – with an “anticipated increase” of up to six new workers another consequence of the rule change.
The building was previously the Crosse and Blackwell food factory, making pickle and soup among other kitchen staples, but has been used by Northbay Pelagic since 1998.
Silos once used for storing carrots, peas and turnips for soup will be removed as part of the new plans.
They will then be broken up and crushed for re-use at the site.
What else will need to change?
A pipe currently used to transport fish from the harbour to the factory will be redirected.
It will be re-routed above ground, to deliver the catch to the south of the site.
Solar panels will be attached to the roof too, making a “considerable” difference to the power supply of the new building.
Statue to health hero could be unveiled in Duthie Park
Plans to immortalise an Aberdeen medical pioneer with his own statue in Duthie Park have taken a step forward.
For years, the JJR MacLeod Memorial Statue Society have been working on plans to celebrate the city’s “unsung hero”.
They say: “Despite his considerable achievements, very few Aberdonians today are aware of the legacy of one of their city’s most remarkable native sons.”
Mr Macleod discovered insulin in 1922, saving “millions of lives”.
There had been hopes to get the artwork in place in time for the centenary.
The groundbreaking figure was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School after moving to the city at the age of seven with his family, and he studied medicine at Marischal College.
It was while researching diabetes in Canada that he discovered the game-changing treatment – for which he was awarded a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine the next year.
Now, plans lodged by the JJR Macleod Memorial Statue Society reveal their aims for the permanent tribute.
They want to install it just north of the pond, near the McGrigor Memorial and slightly west of the famous bandstand.
Ballater building empty since Storm Frank to be revived as cafe
Last week, to coincide with the coronation bank holiday, Planning Ahead took a look at various proposals across Royal Deeside.
And this Monday, we have some good news for Ballater – with a long-empty law office finally poised for a new lease of life.
Aberdeenshire Council has now granted permission for it to be turned into a new cafe.
And the plans take into account the risk of possible future flooding.
There will be a concrete floor, covered in tiles, and all electrical services would be placed higher than 1m.
The walls would be made of treated timber, and special insulation material will be used.
Burnside Brewery couples up with new Mearns wedding venue…
What’s a wedding without a tipple or two to toast the newlywed couple?
For many, the chance to enjoy some refreshments before taking to the dancefloor is a key part of any big day.
So it’s no wonder that developers think they’ve stumbled on the perfect match with plans to build a new wedding venue and brewery in the beautiful Mearns countryside…
How did proposal come about?
In late 2020, Fordoun-based builders FJB Scotland were given permission to turn farm buildings between the village and Inverbervie into a wedding venue.
The Woodburnden complex, just off the A90, will feature space for indoor and outdoor ceremonies and a bridal suite – with its own hot tub and BBQ on a patio outside.
There would also be a bar, huge dining room, offices, five other bedrooms for the couple’s nearest and dearest and other public rooms.
When built, it will be able to accommodate 144 guests.
As these plans were in the works, Laurencekirk’s Burnside Brewery was blossoming.
The independent craft beer firm was formed in 2010, before being taken over by husband and wife Steven Lewis and Margo Macnab in 2018.
They have expanded it from a solitary employee then to four full-time staff.
Now supplying pubs, restaurants and shops, they need a new building.
Burnside Brewery now included in wedding venue plans
Perhaps it was fate when, recently, the owners happened to bump into FJB Scotland director Finlay Brock.
It isn’t clear who popped the question, but they soon began plotting a marriage made in heaven…
Now, fresh plans have been tabled with Aberdeenshire Council – to add the new Burnside Brewery plant to the Woodburnden complex.
Planning documents state: “The new building and site is needed to ensure enough space for increased capacity and finished product storage.
“The existing premises is approaching the end of its design life and is too small for the growth plans for the business.”
Within five years, they hope to double the number of staff.
Do you hope planners rubber-stamp the plans? Let us know in our comments section below
The papers continue: “A chance ‘drive by site’ meeting with Finlay Brock of FJB Scotland led to discussions about collaborative use of the wedding events building to showcase their products.”
As the chat went on, the plan to construct the brewery on unused space beside the venue was hatched.
And of course, Burnside could supply plenty of beer for thirsty wedding guests.
Taylor Architecture was soon hired to draw up the plans that have now been submitted to the local authority.
The firm says the “like-minded” local firms belong together at the site – and should live happily ever after there.
You can see this week’s plans for yourself using these links:
Rubislaw Place proposal backed
Oldmeldrum cattle court demolition
Peterhead fish processing expansion
Burnside Brewery Laurencekirk plans
Conversation