Plans to demolish two homes in a north-east village and replace them with a modern property will be discussed next week.
The scheme will test the limits of Port Errol’s conservation status, which was saved earlier this year, following impassioned pleas by local people for councillors to protect the scenic fishing village which forms part of Cruden Bay.
Aberdeenshire Council planners had originally called for it to be scrapped.
However, Old Deer firm Baxter Design has tabled plans to tear down two semi-detached houses in the community’s Harbour Street and replace them with a single three-bedroom home.
Councillors carried out a site visit at the proposed location last month after a spokesman for Baxter Design branded the dwelling a “dream property” for the company’s clients.
Stephen Archer, the authority’s director of infrastructure services, has urged councillors to back the application.
He said: “The main consideration with this application is the significance of the demolition on the character of the Port Erroll Conservation Area.
“The property does not reflect a quality example of a traditional building within the area and sits dilapidated with inappropriate alterations.
“It is not considered to have a positive contribution to the character or appearance of the Conservation Area, and the removal would enhance and improve the overall area.”
The replacement house has been designed to be in keeping with neighbouring properties, but its demolition has drawn objections from local people.
Kevin Dodd, a neighbour, has called for the granite frontages of the properties to be retained as they were “among the first built in the street”.
In a letter to planners, he said: “The granite walls, covered with harling, were built over 100 years ago and reflect the heritage of the area.”
Another local man, Edward Savage, added: “While the design of the structure forming the main part of the house appears to mimic the general style of other houses within Port Erroll, the overall dimensions and footprint of the structure appear to be significantly bigger than the existing structure.”
