A hotel which ceased trading in a north-east town could be resurrected into a plush five-star retreat if plans get the go-ahead next week.
The plans to redevelop the Udny Arms in Newburgh were deferred while further information was obtained on how the neighbours will be affected by the new-build proposed for the site.
If approved, the hotel would be reopened to include 12 en-suite rooms with a manager’s flat and the current annexe would be demolished to make way for five terraced townhouses.
It is the townhouses that have raised concerns, despite planning officers reporting there will be no “significant” shadows from the three-storey buildings.
Eight objections were made against the plans, and one neighbour, Ian Adams, spoke at the Formartine Area Committee in June to voice his concerns.
He said: “I think when it comes to autumn and winter, any light we do get will disappear. My option would be to move the line of the houses forward to be in line with those in Errol Place.”
Chairwoman of the committee, councillor Isobel Davidson, agreed that more detail was needed on the overshadowing and agreed to defer the decision until the next full area meeting on Tuesday..
A report has now been published by council planner Laura Dingwall which states: “The planning service is of the opinion that the shadow cast is not significant and does not warrant a recommendation of refusal for the application.”
The hotel was formerly owned and operated by Oxford Hotels and Inns, which shut the premises in 2013 for significant renovation work due to extensive flooding.
The bar and restaurant reopened in December 2013 and the hotel in February 2014, but the function suite has remained closed.
The premises, including the bar and restaurant, was then put up for sale in September 2014, before being sold to ECS Investments Ltd in March last year.
A statement from ECS said: “The proposals would reduce the scale of the hotel and refurbish the original buildings, in order to provide a five-star boutique hotel.”