Ellon takeaway plans put on hold
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Decision on a plans for a new takeaway in Ellon have been put on hold till after the local elections after members of the Formartine area committee failed to make a decision at their meeting today (Tuesday).
Concerns had been raised by objectors that it would turn the town into a “super fast food takeaway highway”.
Mr Gorkem Gorur applied to Aberdeenshire Council in a bid to change part of the Greens of Ellon shop into a hot food outlet.
The unit was created during the refurbishment of the former Costcutter store after it was taken on by Eros Retail in 2019.
The new takeaway would feature counter space, a kitchen area and a customer waiting area.
Speaking at the meeting of the Formartine Committee on Tuesday, planners said that there were no concerns from roads or environmental health and bringing an empty unit back into use meant that planning service recommended that it be granted.
Councillor Andrew Hassan questioned if the access door would be accessible due to the step in levels, with councillor Lousie McAllister asked if opening hours would have an impact on the surrounding area and if there was a plan for the upstairs in the building.
Planning officer Anne Ramsay said that the upstairs already had approval for residential and this was separate to the application.
Addressing the committee agent Michael Ritchie explained: "This part of the building is no longer used nor needed by the Greens business,
"Our plans are to convert this into a hot food takeaway and we think it is viable and desirable for the area.
"It would increase footfall and increase fare available as well as creating jobs.
"This is a use that is suitable, it is close to parking and we don't see this adding any extra pressure.
"There is a flat above the property and we have addressed this with filter and noise controls on the flue system that will satisfy this.
"A temporary door on the left is there, but it will move to the right hand side and there will be no step into this to make sure it is accessible.
"The hours are still to be determined by the business that would move in and the levels internally mean that the access will be at ground level."
While the proposals seemed sound to the planning service, Ellon councillor Gillian Owen called for a site visit so that members were aware of the layout at the site and the tightness of vehicle access at the side of the building.
This in turn raised a procedural issue hightlighted by councillor Paul Johnston.
With the elections due on May 5, the members who would be carrying out the site visit were not necessarily the ones at the meeting who had heard the application and the comments from the agent.
He asked: "The issue that this would have to be totally re-run with the applicants agent allowed to speak again."
Area manager Anne Overton confirmed that yes, in the unusual circumstances that would be the case.
Cllr Owen said: "Whilst I understand elections should not be in detriment to an application and I am asking so that councillors can see the roads restrictions around the building."
Cllr Johnston replied: "This is a difficult situation on change over but the point is made that we have not examined the site and I concur with councillor Owen and I know its awkward."
A motion was made to defer the decision for a site visit, but this in itself raised a new issue.
Both Cllr's Jim Gifford and Anouk Kloppert are not standing again in Formartine, Cllr Gifford noting: "I wouldn't be attending it anyway", but it was clarified that regardless they would still need to vote.
A vote by members fell eight to two in favour of a site visit which will now take place in mid-May as no committee meetings take place for at least the first two weeks after the election date as training is undertaken for newly elected members.
