Purpose

Deferred for a Site Visit at B&B Area Committee of 16th June 2026.

Decision

The Committee agreed that planning permission be granted as a departure from the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan and National Planning Framework 4, with authority delegated to the Head of Planning and Economy to issue the decision notice subject to the imposition of appropriate planning conditions. 

In reaching that conclusion, Members determined that insufficient evidence had been presented to demonstrate that demolition of the existing building was necessary or justified. This is deemed contrary to the requirements of both NPF 4 Policy 7 Historic Assets and Places and ALDP 2023 Policy HE1 Protecting Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments and Archaeological Sites (including other historic buildings). Notwithstanding that finding, Members concluded that the proposed development, when assessed as a whole, would preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and was consistent with the relevant requirements of Policy P1 (Layout, Siting and Design) of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan and Policy 14 of NPF 4 Design, Quality and Place. Members also attached significant material weight to the accessibility benefits arising from the proposal, which they considered to be a positive planning outcome in the overall planning balance.  Accordingly, Members were satisfied that material considerations warranted the grant of planning permission notwithstanding the identified policy departure.