Parking concerns over cafe and gift shop plan
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PLANS to convert a former Portsoy hotel into a cafe and gift shop have stalled after it emerged that access to and from the town’s fire station could be at risk.
The proposals, which involve putting the front of the former Commercial Hotel at 43 Seafield Street into use as a gift shop and having a cafe at the rear, have raised concerns among councillors who called for site visit.
The archway which leads to the car park is not tall enough to allow delivery vehicles and coaches through, meaning they will have to park on the kerb or elsewhere in Portsoy, with a possibility being near the fire station on Rose Lane.
At Banff and Buchan Area Committee meeting, Councillor Ian Gray said: "It is imperative that we have a site visit. There could be a problem with delivery lorries blocking the pavement."
Fellow Portsoy councillor Jack Mair disagreed. He said: "We should approve this application. There has been a hotel there for years with beer lorries, cars and people coming and going.
"We are looking for people to come to Portsoy to get it going again."
Councillor John Cox: "I would rather see the building put to some use if it is no longer viable as a hotel."
The house, which has not been used as a hotel for eight years, was granted permission to be changed into a house in 2003.
The archway may not be removed, as it is a listed structure of architectural and historic interest.
Some residents have voiced concerns that the new venture could take trade away from other town shops.
Councillors voted 6-3 in favour of a site visit.
