An Aberdeenshire community was celebrating yesterday after proposals to safeguard a Deeside property from flooding were approved by local councillors.
Ballater residents thanked local authority members for endorsing their scheme to create flood doors, even though it was recommended for refusal by the council’s planning officers.
The plans will see 36 doors installed across 13 properties inside Cornellan Square, off Bridge Street, which were badly hit during Storm Frank.
It was initially intended that council officers would make a decision on the proposals, but local councillors, Peter Argyle, Geva Blackett and Katrina Farquhar insisted it went before the Marr area committee.
In the report to councillors, planning bosses argued the proposed uPVC doors would not preserve the character of the property, situated in a conservation area.
It stated: “It is unfortunate most of the affected properties lie within a conservation area, which requires a high standard of design to protect the long established build character of the area and prevent it from dilution.”
However, councillors were quick to dismiss this argument and responded that, given the specific circumstances of the application, they had to do whatever was required to “ensure the residents of Ballater feel safe within their homes.”
Cllr Argyle said: “If all that this application comes down to is the way that the uPVC doors would look, in comparison to the amount of work and research that local residents have put in, I think we must support the homeowners.”
Councillor Geva Blackett added: “If refused, this would be a prime example of why people do not want to live in conservation areas.
“If I lived in a home which had flooded, I would do absolutely everything in my power to protect my belongings.
“Some people lost everything in Storm Frank and we have a duty to ensure the residents of Ballater feel safe within their homes.”
Steve Duthie, who currently resides at 4 Cornellan Square, was among the residents who expressed delight at the outcome.
He said: “This is a great relief to both me and other homeowners in the square.
“The facts were clear – wooden doors do not give us the same amount of protection as uPVC doors – and we are very grateful that councillors have sympathised with our circumstances and appreciated the importance of this proposal.”
