A scheme to redevelop the grounds of a historic Aberdeenshire mansion and open its walled gardens to the public has bumped into obstacles.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Garioch area committee has delayed making a decision about the creation of six new homes on the grounds of Elrick House, near Newmachar, which would fund its renovation as a tourist attraction.
Proposals are already in place to create a gin distillery and restaurant at the site, but the plans for the new houses were stalled at a committee meeting yesterday.
Councillors were asked to approve the homes on a delegated grant, but members deferred their decision in order to consider the plans alongside a separate application for eight further properties at the site.
The application from the owner of Elrick House, Stuart Ingram, was considered across two applications for full planning permission – one for four houses and another for two.
The money from the development would fund the restoration of the B-listed property, which dates back to the 1700s.
It would also allow for the refurbishment of the estate’s walled garden, new pathways and a C-listed doocot, applications for which are currently pending.
Elrick House is currently on the buildings at risk register and requires external structural work to be made wind and water tight.
Architect at William Lippe Architects, Debbie Anderson, claimed the project was an “exciting new development for the general public that will create connectivity to Newmachar”.
East Garioch councillor Martin Ford responded he had “grave concerns” about the impact of the homes on the character of Elrick House, but accepted the development would also “preserve this fantastic building”.
He added: “We want to see this thing restored. If it was not an enabling development, we would not be supporting this in the countryside.
“The issue is this package of six [homes] and another package of eight. I think it is very difficult to gauge when we only have the six in front of us. We can’t make the decision with this little part of the whole”.
Fellow East Garioch councillor and committee chairman, Fergus Hood, called for a deferral, so that all 14 housing applications could be considered at once, which was unanimously agreed.
He said: “I would support everything you said. But I would go further and formally propose a deferral on this application, so we can have three applications in front of us to consider the whole package.
“I think what we have got here is part of a package. I would like to see Elrick House restored to its former glory.”
