Agenda and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found at:-

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=284&MId=3770&Ver=4

The Local Review Body of Aberdeen City Council met this day to review the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to refuse a request for planning permission.

Councillor Milne, as Chairperson, gave a brief outline of the business to be undertaken.  He indicated that the Local Review Body would be addressed by the Assistant Clerk, Mrs Stephanie Dunsmuir, as regards the procedure to be followed and also, thereafter, by Ms Lucy Greene, who would be acting as the Planning Adviser to the Body in the case under consideration this day.

The Chairperson stated that although the Planning Adviser was employed by the planning authority she had not been involved in any way with the consideration or determination of the application under review and was present to provide factual information and guidance to the Body only.  He emphasised that the officer would not be asked to express any view on the proposed application.

The Local Review Body was then addressed by Mrs Dunsmuir as regards the procedure to be followed, at which time reference was made to the procedure note circulated with the papers calling the meeting and to certain more general aspects relating to the procedure.

The application which was the subject of the review was for retrospective planning permission for the formation of five car parking spaces to the front of the property at 64 Queens Road (Planning Reference 141393).  The proposal also included the retrospective formation of small areas of landscaping to the front and side of the parking area and the formation of granite setts to the front of the property. 

The property at 64 Queens Road was a two and a half storey detached property located in the west end which was currently used as offices.  The property was finished in granite, with a slate roof and was Category B listed and was located within the Albyn Place / Rubislaw Conservation Area.  The surrounding area was mixed use in nature and included offices, hotels and residential properties.  An area of parking had been formed to the front of the property, and garden ground located to the rear.

In relation to documents which the members of the Local Review Body should consider, the following documents were accessible via web links and available as set out in the papers:-

Development Plan – Aberdeen Local Development Plan (2012);  BI3 (West End Office Area) – the development of associated front gardens to car parks and driveways, and the subsequent erosion of associated landscaping would not be permitted.  The reinstatement and restoration of car parks to front gardens would be encouraged by the Council; and D5 (Built Heritage) – that proposals affecting Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings would only be permitted if they complied with Scottish Planning Policy.

Sections 25 and 37(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) required that where, in making any determination under the planning acts, regard was to be had to the provisions of the development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.