Welcome to Planning Ahead – our weekly round-up of the latest proposals across the north-east.
This week’s serving has a bit of a foodie theme, with developments lined up to tickle tastebuds across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
An extension is planned at Meldrum House Hotel, which would allow culinary connoisseurs the chance to dine with the luxury resort’s chef.
Elsewhere on the menu, popular proposals to do up Queen Victoria’s old picnic cottage at Braemar have been approved – so Deeside day-trippers could soon dine like royalty.
But first, bosses are fighting to keep a popular coffee kiosk along the Deeside Way…
Will it be full steam ahead for cafe next to historic railway line?
JJ’s Food and Drink Ltd is seeking permission to keep the popular Boxcar coffee and cake kiosk at the former Cults Railway Station.
The business sprang up during the pandemic, proving a hit with many using the Deeside Way for their daily spot of fresh air.
It’s been in place since, relying on temporary permission being renewed, and bosses now want to keep it there for another year.
However, neighbours in the Aberdeen suburb are pushing for the council to close it down.
‘Pong spoils enjoyment of my garden’
Ashfield Road resident Mayu Kano says the previous permission was granted for only 18 months, meaning the Boxcar should have shut on July 31.
Despairing Andrew Dale adds: “The increase in noise and disruption to what
was a quiet residential area cannot continue.
“The increase in traffic and cars on the site and surrounding streets is a real safety concern.
“The noise and smell that I have to put up with in my garden in unacceptable.”
Accusations of drinking and drug use
Karin Robertson, who lives nearby, says the seating is encouraging anti-social behaviour.
Her letter of objection claims: “The seating arrangements have led to instances of youths congregating in the evenings, engaging in alcohol consumption and drug use.”
Forest Road resident George Stewart even suggested the unit “disturbs the ambience of nature” along the route.
Meanwhile, owner John Mackenzie ultimately aims to transform Cults Railway Station itself into a cafe and bike repair shop.
We covered the project in our round-up in July, also detailing the many letters of support it has received.
McDonald’s orders on hold at Aberdeen branch…
Kittybrewster burger fans may have to wait a few weeks for their next Big Mac.
McDonald’s has closed until early October, while a £100,000 construction project to create a new waiting area takes place.
Kaimhill student flats in line for changes
Meanwhile, disused student flats near Robert Gordon University could be turned into mainstream housing.
Ellon-based applicants Arnage Estates says the 8-10 Craigievar Crescent block at Kaimhill has been empty since the lease with the university ended.
If the change of use is approved it will mean the eight flats can be occupied both by “people that are in higher education and other potential tenants”.
Architects add: “Since the end of the lease with RGU, there have been vacancies in the flats, and in advertising them there has been a higher demand from non-students.”
They suggest that students don’t fancy living in the residential area, among sheltered housing complexes.
‘Unknown costs are putting students off’
And due to rising energy costs, students are “seeking all-inclusive rentals rather than taking on the rental of the flat and bills”.
Papers state: “These unknown costs are putting students off.
“The purpose-built multi-occupancy modern halls of resident type of accommodation are the choice of students for now.”
And there are plenty of those, with even more in the pipeline, in Aberdeen.
Just a few days ago, plans for a huge new block just off George Street were approved by the council.
Bird hide to offer a spot to rest on scenic Aberdeenshire walk
Auchnerran, near Tarland, is what’s known as a “demonstration farm”, meaning it aims to show off “novel ideas” that could influence politicians, conservationists and farmers.
As part of this, owners now want to erect a new bird hide at the Logie Coldstone site.
They say it will be built on an area of flat ground, offering “panoramic views of the surrounding landscape”.
And it will have more benefits rather than just observing ornithology.
Architects add: “The proposed bird hide will be located on a popular walking trail leading to Morven viewpoint.
“It will provide a recreational improvement for those frequenting the area, as a rest stop with information on the wildlife in the immediate surroundings.”
Historic graveyard in need of repair
Aberdeenshire Council wants to rebuild a crumbling wall, and install an information panel, at an ancient graveyard near Banff.
The plans for Inverboyndie Old Cemetery also include repairs to the burial vault and the steeple.
Mill of Kincardine Farmhouse restoration
Improvements are planned at a historic Mearns farmhouse currently on the market to rent for £1,200 per month.
Applicant Zoe Steel, from Laurencekirk, is seeking permission to replace “extremely rotted” windows and unsightly doors at the five-bedroom home.
The B-listed Fettercairn site dates back to the early 19th century, and architects say these changes will “make it feel more pleasant”.
It comes after the surrounding arable farm was put on the market for £3 million in 2020.
Aberdeen woman wins battle to keep large fence
Earlier this year, we documented the unusual struggle of a Powis woman as she fought to keep an oversized fence erected around her garden without permission.
The unauthorised structure came under fire from neigbours in the Aberdeen community.
Some slammed its “visual impact and height”, while others said it posed a risk by blocking motorists’ views.
Applicant Ruma Begum pleaded to keep it, telling the council that she put it up after feeling “intimidated” by other Powis Crescent residents.
She claimed problems arose when a “large family” arrived “with several dogs” to live in another flat nearby.
But it wasn’t enough to convince unmoved planning chiefs, who ordered it be torn down…
What has changed?
But the saga has now taken a fresh twist.
This summer, Ms Begum painted it green and asked once again for permission to keep it there.
She also chopped it down from 1.9m to 1.2m in height.
And council officials have now relented, giving the slightly smaller green fence their blessing.
Victoria’s picnic cottage to be reborn
Earlier this year, we revealed plans to do up Queen Victoria’s derelict Deeside picnic cottage.
The Mar Lodge Estate has now been given the go-ahead to rescue the Linn of Quoich building from ruin – and open it up to visitors.
Aberdeenshire Council heritage chiefs signed off on the plans, accepting the need for shutters to be added on security grounds.
The National Trust for Scotland’s USA Foundation has launched a $200,000 fundraiser to help cover the costs of the revamp.
They say: “In its current state, the picnic lodge is unusable – but the work to restore it is relatively simple.”
Neighbours at odds over ‘shed-like’ AirBnB in Ballater garden
Plans for new visitor accommodation in the garden of a Ballater home have been approved despite the complaints of next door neighbours.
Hasse Simonsen, whose primary address has been given as Aalborg in Denmark, put forward the proposals this summer.
Mr Simonsen already runs 200-year-old Dormie Cottage, at 2 Salisbury Road, as a self-catering cottage for up to six guests.
Hut ‘would boost Ballater economy’
Papers submitted to Aberdeenshire Council state: “The applicant wishes to site a ‘shepherd’s hut’ within a portion of garden ground fronting onto Salisbury Road.
“The proposed accommodation would provide small scale tourist accommodation within the village on a year-round basis.
“It is envisaged that guests would contribute to the year-round economy of the village.”
But next door neighbour Trevor Armstrong pleaded for the planning department to throw it out.
‘It looks like a cross between a caravan and a storage container’
He said the structure would look out of place in the traditional area.
Mr Armstrong added: “To build a shed that looks like a cross between a caravan and a storage container cannot be acceptable.”
Meanwhile, Angus and Lesley Davidson raised concerns about parking problems.
Why was it approved?
However, roads chiefs were “satisfied that there is sufficient space on the street for the one space which would be required”.
The council has now approved it – but only for three years, at which point the applicant will have to seek renewed permission.
It comes after the abundance of holiday homes in Royal Deeside was blamed for contributing to a housing “crisis”.
Meldrum House Hotel extension to help business grow
The owners of the plush Meldrum House Hotel splashed out £4.5 million on a huge extension to the rear of the historic building in 2015.
It took bosses two years to see the plans through, managing to eventually convince wary historians that it wouldn’t have an adverse impact on the B-listed venue.
By the summer of 2016, it was built.
The huge extension was said to help “marry the period hotel to cater for growing demand”.
What is in the Meldrum House Hotel extension as it is?
It features a ballroom and 28 bedrooms, all designed to help lure in more international visitors.
And now, Meldrum House Hotel management want to extend their extension.
McWilliam Lippe architects say the building has “witnessed great change” since being erected as a private home in the 13th Century.
They say the “luxury four-star hotel” is now one of the best in Scotland, but that upgrades will be necessary to ensure it remains a “top destination”.
With this in mind, they want to alter and expand the existing building, with additional kitchen facilities, a chefs table and staff offices.
What’s a chefs table?
This is a feature found in upmarket restaurant kitchens, reserved for guests of the chef.
They tend to come with bar type seating, allowing dinner parties to chat with the culinary maestro responsible for the posh nosh before them.
Guests booking a chefs table can often have special menus prepared for them.
And it comes as the Meldrum House Hotel has attracted some big names from the word of cooking in recent years…
Last year, celebrity chef Tony Singh took over the Oldmeldrum establishment for an exclusive evening.
Why is further extension needed at Meldrum House Hotel?
The venue, which became a hotel in the 1950s, has been owned by Meldrum Estates for some time.
And documents sent to the council explain how the 2015 extension has helped Meldrum House Hotel “grow and expand into a leading destination for events and stays”.
The proposed addition to the building will “tie in completely with its aesthetic”.
They say it will “read simply as part of the existing fabric”, with just a single storey kitchen extension needed.
Designers say the chefs table area would take the same approach, keeping “in line with the existing extension’s roof heights”.
They add: “While it will be attached the historic part of the building, it blends seamlessly with the existing large extension.”
You can see this week’s plans for yourself using these links:
Queen Victoria’s picnic cottage
Meldrum House Hotel extension plans
Conversation