Councillors approve proposal for new pub near Drumoak
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Plans to build a new pub on the outskirts of Drumoak have been given the go-ahead despite worries noisy revellers could disturb its neighbours.
The Firm of the Irvine Arms applied to Aberdeenshire Council in a bid to construct a bar on land next to Keithmuir Gardens.
As well as a bar, the new two-storey building will have a function suite, games room and dining area.
A beer garden will also be included on the site for customers to enjoy a drink outside during the summer months.
Meanwhile, a three-bedroom flat on the first floor will be available for use by staff featuring a kitchen/dining area and living room.
The development will create 40 jobs including a mix of full and part-time roles, along with some seasonal posts.
The plans for the replacement pub were initially revealed last summer.
The original and much-loved Irvine Arms was located on North Deeside Road.
Staff gave the last call at the bar almost a decade ago back in 2015.
The following year, plans were lodged to demolish the building and replace it with 12 two-bedroom flats.
However, the project never came to fruition.
A proposal to build a replacement pub on the site was later granted but dropped, with the grounds put on the market.
Four people wrote to the local authority to object to the latest development.
Hilary Kitching was concerned that noisy patrons would disturb those living in the nearby housing estate.
She also didn’t want to see the woodland destroyed and suggested the pub be built on the previous Irvine Arms site instead.
Meanwhile Valerie Milne was opposed to the development as she believed it would become a “public nuisance”.
She claimed that an increase in noise would affect elderly residents living next door.
Miss Milne added: “There has been antisocial behaviour in this area in the recent past by local teenagers and this would likely increase if such an establishment were to be built.”
However two residents backed the pub plan.
Zoe Meldrum said it would be a “fantastic addition” to Drumoak.
While Craig Meldrum said it would be “highly beneficial” as the village has not had a pub since the former site closed.
Council planners had recommended it be approved, saying the “important community facility” would bring a welcome economic boost to the area.
The proposal recently went before the Kincardine and Mearns area committee.
Councillor Dawn Black raised some worries about potential flooding issues on the site, saying it was “essentially a pond” during heavy spells of rain.
She also asked if the applicants had considered building the replacement building on the former pub grounds.
However senior planner Gregor Spence told her the site was “not viable” for this particular redevelopment.
But councillor Mel Sullivan wasn’t convinced the developers had the right site for the pub.
She said: “It’s in a small community on a busy road, but you have other pubs and restaurants in Crathes and Mains of Drum so it’s not like it’s a tourist attraction in its own right.
“I would prefer at least two other sites and development take place there than cut down a bunch of trees and expand out.”
However despite her concerns, the application was unanimously approved by the committee.
