PLANS to build three houses in front of a Banchory hotel have been withdrawn by the applicant - though 42 apartments on the site could still be built.
As reported in the Piper in February, Cala Management Limited had submitted plans to Aberdeenshire Council to redevelop the Tor-Na-Coille Hotel in Inchmarlo Road (pictured) into 42 new and converted apartments.
On February 26, they submitted furth
er plans to build three 1.5 storey, four-bedroom detached houses on land between the hotel and the road, presently used for car parking, to "complement" the first development.
Aberdeenshire Council's planning department said in a letter to Cala's agents, Davidson Smith Partnership, in Aberdeen:
"The planning service has been consistent in advising that the location of any housing in front of the Tor-Na-Coille Hotel would be unacceptable in terms of planning policy".
The planner added: "Through the planning application for the change of use and extension of the hotel building to provide 42 flats, the planning service has been clear on the importance of the existing hotel building as an architectural feature in the town, as well as the importance of the trees and the character of the site on the west end of Banchory.
"Whilst it is acknowledged that there is some scope for the proposed extension to the existing building, the potential damaging impact of erecting buildings on front of the existing hotel has been identified from the start of discussions on the future of this site".
It concludes by stating: "I am in no doubt that no support can be offered to this proposed development".
According to the council's website, there were 15 representations in relation to the application and it was withdrawn by the agents at the end of April and will not now be considered by members of the Marr area committee.
There have been almost 100 representations in relation to the original application for the 42 flats.
Banchory Community Council has submitted comments in relation to the plans for the 42 flats.
Chairman Keith White states in an e-mail to Aberdeenshire Council: "The proposal has created a substantial reaction from Banchory residents, none of it in favour of the conversion. It should be noted that the Community Council shares the views expressed by residents".
He goes on to say that tourism is important to the area and "to lose the largest hotel in the area would be a retrograde step and one which could not easily be rectified.
"The western approach to the town is particularly attractive and goes a long way to promoting the town to visitors.
To approve the building of this barracks-like structure, particularly given the nature of the surrounding properties, would be totally inappropriate".
A spokesman for Cala Management Limited confirmed its plans for the three homes between the hotel and road had been withdrawn, but refused to say why.
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