Decision on Banff Bridge holiday lodges deferred by councillors
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A Banff businessman will have to wait a bit longer to find out if his plan to build two new holiday lodges will be given the go-ahead.
Des Cheyne, owner of the town’s famous Spotty Bag Shop, is behind a proposal to construct the short-term holiday homes on a site overlooking Banff Bridge.
Under the plans, the timber buildings would be located on ground at Douneside, next to the site of the former Banff Bridge railway station building which has been demolished.
But councillors on the Banff and Buchan area committee deferred the plan on Tuesday over road safety concerns.
The decision has left Mr Cheyne feeling “frustrated” as he hopes to bring much-needed visitors to the area.
He said: “We have been pushing for some years to improve tourism in the town.
“This is a last throw of the dice for Banff.”
Mr Cheyne originally planned to build three lodges on the site but the proposal was refused back in 2021.
The businessman added: “This has dragged on for a considerable time, it’s frustrating.
“What we are trying to achieve is more economic growth and to slow any deprivation in the area."
Mr Cheyne also argued that the new holiday homes would help to bring a financial boost to the area.
He explained: “There are cafés, restaurants and shops here, the lodges will help improve all of these.
“I see this a win-win.”
The two proposed lodges are identical and will be positioned closely to one another to maximise both views and privacy for visitors.
They will have two bedrooms, an open kitchen and living area, as well as a shower room.
The council’s built heritage team objected to the plan, saying it would “add to the visual clutter” on Doune Hill and “erode the setting” of the listed Temple of Venus and Banff Bridge.
While council planners noted that similar developments like this can be found across the region, they believed this particular development would have a negative impact on the area by “introducing an alien element” to the Doune Hill landscape and “erode” its character.
Planners recommended the plan be refused.
At Tuesday’s meeting, councillors raised worries about the junction between the A947 and A98 at Banff Bridge.
Former council leader Mark Findlater asked for more details about access to the site as he was worried about a potential increase in vehicles.
He said: “That is a very busy junction, there is a garage there so there is a lot of traffic going in and out.”
However, councillor Richard Menard suggested members carry out a site visit before making a final decision.
The committee unanimously agreed to stop by the site to have a look for themselves first.
Due to this, the application was deferred and will be considered again when the committee meets next month.
