Plans to demolish a former Aberdeen hotel and build affordable housing have today (Aug 18) been granted conditional approval.
Members of Aberdeen City Council’s Planning Development Management Committee agreed to grant detailed planning permission for the Cloverleaf Hotel site in Bucksburn, subject to a legal agreement with the developer.
Stewart Milne Homes tabled proposals for 68 flats with parking on the Kepplehills Road site following consultation with the local community.
The application was referred to the committee as more than five letters of representation were submitted to the planning authority, including an objection from Bucksburn and Newhills Community Council.
The developer proposed to build the flats in two blocks. The first would contain 35 properties in a mix of two and three storey sections. The second stage would consist of 32 flats in two smaller blocks, one with three floors and another with four.
The main road access point would be provided from Kepplehills Road.
The proposals also included 55 parking spaces (three disabled), five motorcycle spots and 70 bicycle bays. Bin stores and an area of amenity space would be provided within a central court yard to the rear of the development.
Pedestrian access would be from two points on Sclattie Park and three points to Kepplehills Road, in addition to the main access from Kepplehills Road.
Convener of Aberdeen City Council’s Planning Development Management Committee, Councillor Ramsay Milne, said: “It is regrettable that the Cloverleaf Hotel is closing as it is a much-loved social hub for many in the locality. It is not, however, within the powers of the Council to ensure its retention.
“This development will, however, provide some much-needed affordable accommodation in the Bucksburn area, which will compliment work ongoing by this Council to address the shortage of low-cost housing across the city.”
Councillors unanimously agreed the recommendation from planning officers to agree a willingness to approve subject to the legal agreement to ensure the development is solely restricted to affordable housing.
Developer contributions towards primary and secondary education, the core path network, open space and the Strategic Transport Fund will also have to be agreed.