The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
‘Acceptable’ plans for flats on site of former print firm
Developers could have plans for flats in a former Aberdeen printworks approved at the fourth time of asking.
Aberdeen Capital Investments had their proposals for the former Scottaspress premises in Maberly Street thrown out in December 2020.
But new plans, brought forward last May, have now been recommended for conditional approval from councillors next week.
Two prior applications, for 16 flats over four storeys and 10 flats built on three floors, were withdrawn in 2019.
Initially touted as an all-affordable housing development, the applicant has now informed the council the 16 one-bed and single two-bed apartments will be sold on the mainstream market.
Planning officials said the development is “considered acceptable” against all council policies and there is no “material consideration which warrants refusal”.
That is despite 11 public objections to the plans over concerns about the height of the flats, lack of parking and need for further flats, and loss of privacy for neighbours.
“Although it is alleged that there is a lack of demand for housing, this is contradicted by the council housing service and affordable housing guidance,” planning officer David Dunne said.
A modern extension is part of the design for the car-free flat block on the narrow street, which lies within the city centre zone where developers don’t need to pay towards the city’s affordable housing stock.
Peggy Rose, who has struggled to sell her flat across the road from the site, was one of the objectors.
“It is still too high and is almost directly overlooking my front garden,” she said,
“The small site is directly opposite the entrance to the Broadford Works, which is also to be developed into several hundred flats, making this section of Maberly Street even busier.”
Aberdeen Capital Investments took the 2020 rejection to the Scottish Government, whose independent reporter backed the council’s decision based on concerns about how much of the granite from the demolished building would be reused.