Residents say a luxury city hotel’s proposed extension will cause “great concern” if it is granted planning permission.
Queen’s Cross and Harlaw Community Council has said people are being left “demoralised” in their continued bid to prevent construction work at the Chester Hotel on Queen’s Road.
The 50-bed facility, owned by Graham and Gillian Wood, opened in 2014 following a £5million refurbishment to the B- and C-listed buildings.
Since then, nearby residents have complained of noise from the hotel continuing “late into the night”, including one who objected to a previous application for an outdoor terrace by claiming it is breaching EU law by disturbing their sleep.
Before Christmas the Woods lodged an application to extend and refurbish the Chester’s current conference and function facilities.
The planning documents state that the 520 sq ft expansion would include a new entry, provide “additional floor space and greater flexibility” while ensuring there is “no adverse impact” on the amenity of neighbouring properties.
This claim has been disputed by the community council, which has lodged a formal objection.
Chairman Ken Hutcheon said: “One does not understand how a larger function suite with an external staircase could not make the situation even worse for local residents.
“One only needs to refer back to previous applications… to appreciate the further problems Chester would create for local residents.
“How could they now manage to constrain even more clients to make less noise when they have failed to do so in the past?”
The community council has also cited concerns regarding the over-development of the site and its impact on residential parking.
Mr Hutcheon added: “Even very active residents in the area are too weary to mount yet another protest against the Chester.”
The planning application states: “[The Chester] has also sought to be a good neighbour to both residents and other businesses in the area, and has been the location for many celebrated high profile and charitable events. It is a credit to the city of Aberdeen.”
