Welcome to Planning Ahead – our weekly round-up of the latest proposals lodged across the north-east.
This week, we take a look at how old office buildings at the town’s harbour could become a new Peterhead gym.
Meanwhile, a former community centre near Alford looks poised to become an impressive home, following some reservations from the property next door.
But firstly, we look at how a patch of wasteland in Macduff could soon be given a continental makeover…
Petanque plans for Macduff
Macduff Bowling Club has put forward proposals to bring petanque, a pastime popular in the south of France, to the coastal town.
Members want to convert a patch of wasteland next to their indoor centre on Duff Street.
Petanque is played on hard dirt or gravel, with players throwing their balls as close to a target “jack” as they can.
It comes after similar plans to bring the sport to Stonehaven were approved a few months ago.
Greggs drive-thru latest
Recently we revealed how a new Aberdeen Tim Hortons is fighting planning rules which mean it’s only allowed to cook food using a microwave.
That comes as an eagerly anticipated drive-thru Greggs at Westhill is coming closer to fruition.
Anyone driving by the site off the A944 Aberdeen to Alford road will have noticed the project rapidly coming together.
And now bosses at the Newcastle-based bakery are seeking separate permission for an air conditioning system at the Commercial Street venue.
Images sent to Aberdeenshire Council as part of the application indicate that there will be seating inside for 28 customers.
Retrospective permission needed for popular pizza takeaway
When coronavirus struck, the owners of Aberdeen’s Adams Lounge bar adapted to make sure it could retain its kitchen and bar staff.
They launched Big Manny’s Pizza – delivering various varieties of the Italian staple from the pub.
The monster-size pizzas have taken the north-east by storm, becoming so popular it’s hard to believe the venture is only three years old.
Since the launch, they’ve started selling them at other Aberdeen bars, from a takeaway near Pittodrie and at the Codona’s amusement park.
A franchise has also opened up in an Inverurie chip shop, and plans to turn the former Brewdog bar in Peterhead into a dedicated Big Manny’s pizzeria have been approved.
Amid all this rapid growth, bosses say they were “unaware” that they had failed to fill in the proper paperwork for the place where it all began.
They are now retroactively seeking permission to turn part of the pub’s kitchen into a takeaway.
Should the council turn down the application, it would mean that the 18-inch pizzas could no longer be delivered from their birthplace.
New Sauchen home approved despite neighbours’ concerns
Plans to transform the former Millbank Community Centre into a new home at Sauchen have been approved by Aberdeenshire Council.
The plans came after Aberdeenshire Council put the Donside site on the market for £145,000.
He wanted to form four bedrooms on the mezzanine level, along with dining space above the play room.
Balconies and a sun deck would also be built.
What did other residents think?
Next door neighbour Carrie McIntosh wrote a letter of objection to the local authority, raising concerns the balconies would overlook her private space.
She said: “I have my children’s privacy to protect as well as my own.”
And Colin Meldrum, who lives at the same address, expressed similar concerns.
Since then, the plans have been rejigged so that the roof terrace overlooks trees at the rear and a tennis court instead.
And council planning chiefs have now backed the proposal to bring the “long vacant” site back to life.
Work progressing as Aberdeen dentist moves to new home
Andrew Scott Dental Care was recently given the go-ahead to flit from Victoria Street to a bigger building nearby at 39 Queens Road.
The firm told the Press and Journal it would offer much more room, and plenty space for customers to park.
As work began on the new premises, builders performed an unusual extraction – digging out a rare old bottle of whisky from under the floorboards.
And now, the dentist is seeking permission for new signage at the front of the former oil offices.
Here’s how the new signs on Queens Road would look:
Thistle Windows to boost eco credentials
Now, Thistle Windows wants to put up 300 of the cells on the roof of their base at Woodside Road.
The devices would have been working overtime in recent weeks, with scorching temperatures across the north-east.
Thistle Windows, famous for its catchy jingle, has been a business force in the area since 1995.
Derelict Alford shop could be demolished
The former Rosie’s store in Alford has been lying abandoned for almost 20 years, and could now finally be torn down.
Carol Morris wants to raze it to build a new house on the Donside Road site.
Papers sent to the council from Mike Strachan Architecture say the building has been targeted by vandals over the years, with its windows now all boarded up.
They add: “The building fabric is also suffering from lack of maintenance with damaged roof sheets, leaking roofs, etc.
“If this development were granted it would ensure that the site would become more attractive, with a modest residential unit instead of a dilapidated boarded up building.”
The proposed two-bedroom bungalow would be built to modern energy standards.
The shop was operated by Rosie and William Douglas before closing in 2006.
Do you have any memories of the long-closed Alford shop? Let us know in our comments section below
Keith House could become new Peterhead gym
The Keith House block in Peterhead was opened as new government offices in 1975.
The complex was shared by Inland Revenue, HM Customs and Excise, the Fishery Officer and the local Coastguard.
It was latterly known as the Peterhead Business Centre before falling empty.
The 13,022sq ft building was put on the market for £250,000 in 2021.
After failing to attract any interest, the building was finally was sold after going under the hammer in December.
The property, near the port at 4 Seagate, has sections of four storeys and three storeys.
And sellers said it could suit a variety of purposes; with potential to be reborn as a “purpose-built theatre”, swimming pool or even a museum.
But now, it appears that it could be reinvigorated as the “Harbour Health Fitness and Wellbeing Centre”.
Blueprints sent to Aberdeenshire Council show how developers are keen to transform the ground and first floors…
Offices would be taken apart with a studio/meeting room and weights hall on the bottom level.
There would also be a “nutrition bar” and vending machines.
The first floor would be transformed, with the former workspace making way for a spin bike studio and cardio hall.
The design images also show a therapy/sports massage room, a steam room and sauna.
More information needed on new Peterhead gym
However, the council is asking developers to supply more information on the amount of noise likely to be generated by the new Peterhead gym.
This is due to the “close proximity to neighbouring residential properties”.
Extra information is also sought for on the proposed operating hours.
They warn: “We will refuse development if there is a risk that it could create a significant nuisance.”
You can see this week’s plans for yourself using these links:
Big Manny’s Pizza birthplace at risk
Andrew Scott Dental new building
Plans for derelict Alford shop
New Peterhead gym plans
Conversation