Fresh plans to turn a derelict Aberdeenshire petrol station into a block of flats could be approved next week – despite dozens of objections.
The controversial plans to knock down the old Craighall filling station on Ellon’s South Road to make way for two blocks of eight flats were rejected last year.
Now Regency Oils Ltd has tabled revised the proposals, making it a two-storey block of 16 two-bedroom flats.
However, 31 objections have been lodged, with locals concerned about the lack of green space proposed, road safety and the overall design.
But planning officers have urged the Formartine area committee to grant permission for their scheme at their meeting next week.
Sandy McDougall, chairman of Ellon Community Council, said progressing with the current application would be a missed opportunity.
He added: “It didn’t meet our desires for a relatively inspirational building at the entrance to Ellon. We’d just welcome anything that was a modern, inspirational design and building Ellon could be proud of.
“We are hoping the councillors do recognise the strength of feeling in the community and support the community and objections that are clearly quite strong.”
In a report, director of infrastructure services Stephen Archer tells councillors they could address issues surrounding the contamination of former petrol stations.
He added: “While a block of flats might appear to be an inappropriate form of development on this site, it must be acknowledged that the nature of its previous use as a petrol station is such that there is a continuing risk of contamination should nothing be done on the site.
“The amended layout provides a suitable balance between the amenity of the occupiers of the flats and the neighbouring properties.”
He stressed the development would be “visually separated” from the nearby historic St Mary’s Church.