Café proposal for Gardenstown approved by Aberdeenshire Council
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Plans to transform a vacant shop in Gardenstown into a café have been approved.
Applicant Ian Clarke submitted the proposal to Aberdeenshire Council for the change of use of the property at 115 Main Street along with the installation of an air source heat pump.
It is a two-and-a-half storey building with the application relating to the vacant ground floor shop. The upper floors are residential properties.
The local authority's planning report said: "The proposal involves converting the ground floor shop into a café.
"This requires internal alterations to the building to open up the ground floor, and form a kitchen/serving area with a low counter to separate this from the café seating area.
"The room to the rear of the property would be linked internally to the building by repositioning the access door on the north-east elevation.
"This room to the rear of the building would be converted to an accessible toilet, staff toilet and store. A new timber window is proposed to be installed at the accessible toilet.
"An air source heat pump is proposed to be sited to the rear of the first floor of the building."
The council's planning department recommended that the application be approved.
The report outlined: "The proposed development would comply with the relevant policies of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2017, in that the proposed change of use is compatible with the surrounding land uses.
"The works are appropriately designed, scaled and sited and would not adversely impact upon neighbouring properties and it satisfies all relevant technical matters.
"Therefore, the planning service is in a position to support the proposal and is recommended for approval.
"In assessing the proposed development against the wider policies of Scottish Planning Policy and the Local Development Plan 2017 and any other material considerations, there were no adverse impacts which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal."
The local authority received three objections and three representations of support for the application.
Issues that were raised by the objectors included lack of parking provision; stress on the road infrastructure; noise, smell and litter caused from the proposed use as a café; concerns over waste management of the café, and bin storage; it would be detrimental to the existing pub, café and chip vans; and loss of privacy caused by people sitting at the windows.
The reasons highlighted by the supporters were the existing café, pub and chip vans are open part-time, therefore a full-time café would be an advantage for locals and tourists; it would enhance the retail street in the village; and the development would bring the property back into active use.
Aberdeenshire Council followed the recommendation of the planning report and granted the full planning permission.
The reason for the decision stated: "The presumption in favour of sustainable development is a significant material consideration, this must be balanced against any adverse impacts of the proposed development which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.
"The proposed development accords with the Scottish Planning Policy principles of sustainable development. This carries significant material weight lending itself to an approval.
"In assessing the proposed development there were no adverse impacts which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal.
"The policies contained in the Local Development Plan 2017 remain compliant with the principles of sustainable development as guided by the Scottish Planning Policy and therefore provide an appropriate basis for the determination of this application.
"The proposed development would comply with the relevant policies of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2017, in that the proposed change of use is compatible with the surrounding land uses.
"The works are appropriately designed, scaled and sited and would not adversely impact upon neighbouring properties and it satisfies all relevant technical matters."
