Calls to save family diner

Councillors have revealed they would like to see much-loved Aberdeenshire family restaurant reopen, rather than be turned into housing.

Plans had been lodged to turn Cammies restaurant, in Cammachmore, near Newtonhill, into eight affordable flats.

But councillors rejected the proposals, and admitted they were keen to see the family business – which closed in May – reopen.

The refusal was in line with the planning officers’ recommendation, on the grounds the proposed extensions would “dominate” the building.

North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison said: “The building is not the bonniest but I don’t think the plans improve matters one iota. My ideal solution would

“My solution would be that Cammies comes back”

be that Cammies comes back into business.

“That might not be, but it is not acceptable to replace it with something that doesn’t improve matters at all.”

Fellow ward councillor Carl Nelson agreed, but said owners Norma and Nicol Cowie had kept the restaurant going for as long as they could.

The chairman of the Kincardine and Mearns area committee added: “I would agree I’d like to see it open again, but they have tried that and that was unsuccessful and they are moving on to the conversion.”

Cammies restaurant