Controversial plans to transform a former public toilet building in Aberdeen into a cafe could be approved by councillors this week.
The local authority’s planning development and management committee will meet on Thursday to decide whether to grant Harry Miller’s application for the facility on the High Street in Old Aberdeen.
Under the plans, the side and rear walls would be demolished and a first floor extension put in place in the building, which was first opened in 1932.
But the proposals have not been universally welcomed in the local community, with the Old Aberdeen community council, Aberdeen Civic Society and the Old Aberdeen Heritage Society all raising objections.
Many of the complaints revolve around the modern building materials, including aluminium, being out of place in the historic area of the city.
A letter from the community council to the committee says that while the group is happy with the proposal to convert the “eyesore” into a cafe, they have concerns over the “visual presentation” of the redeveloped structure so close to listed buildings.
But despite objections, council officers have still recommended approval of the development, with a number of conditions attached.
A report to the committee states: “The proposed use of the building as a cafe would complement the existing uses of the surrounding area and would not cause any conflict with the amenity of the area.
“The proposed extensions and alterations to the building would reflect and respect the historical pattern of buildings in the surrounding area in terms of scale, form and massing.
“Although the materials used would be modern, it is considered that a contemporary approach is necessary in order that the development clearly identifies as a new addition to the townscape and does not detract from the setting of the surrounding buildings or the wider area.”
