Councillors have backed revived plans to convert part of a historic Aberdeenshire building site into a hostel – despite more than 20 objections from residents.
The local authority’s Garioch area committee yesterday approved proposals to turn ground floor office space at the Inverurie Loco Works carriage building into overnight accommodation with 11 bedrooms.
The scheme in front of them was the third incarnation of the plans tabled by the Garioch Heritage Society.
It was met with 22 objections – 19 of them from residents of the carriage development concerned about issues including parking and noise.
The plans for the B-listed building have been rejected twice, first in February when 37 rooms were proposed and again in June when 20 rooms were suggested.
The new proposals were backed on the casting vote of Garioch area committee chairman Fergus Hood after the vote was left tied at 4-4.
The money raised from the facility will be used to fund the Garioch Heritage Centre in the carriage building, which is not yet open.
Inverurie councillor Martin Kitts-Hayes said: “It has been a big issue for local residents. I don’t think it was ever envisaged that this would be suggested on this site.
“I have absolutely huge respect for the heritage society. But I think the previous application was pushing it far enough.”
Fellow local councillor Hamish Vernal said it was the “wrong kind of development” for the carriage building.
But Councillor Bryan Stuart – who has previously voted to reject the plans – said: “I feel what is being proposed this time is acceptable. My reasons for that are the concerns have been pretty comprehensively addressed.”
Spokeswoman for agents William Lippe Architects Ltd, Eleanor Alexander, said that had the plans been blocked again the firm would have appealed the decision.
She added: “This is the final attempt by the Garioch Heritage Society to find a compromise.”