Agenda and minutes

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

https://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=284&MId=5826&Ver=4

The Local Review Body (LRB) of Aberdeen City Council met on this day to review the decision taken by an appointed officer under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to refuse the request for planning permission for the proposed erection of enclosure and area of external seating for cafe at 12 St Swithin Street, Aberdeen, Planning Reference 170175.

Councillor Boulton as Chairperson gave a brief outline of the business to be undertaken.  She indicated that the LRB would be addressed by the Assistant Clerk, Mrs Allison Swanson with regards to the procedure to be followed and also, thereafter, by Mr Andrew Miller who would be acting as the Planning Adviser to the Body for the case under consideration this day.

The Chairperson stated that although the Planning Adviser was employed by the planning authority hehad 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.  She 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 Swanson, Assistant Clerk in regards to the procedure to be followed, at which time reference was made to the procedure note circulated with the papers calling the meeting and to more general aspects relating to the procedure.

In relation to the application, the LRB had before it (1) a delegated report by Ms Linda Speers, Planning Technician; (2) the decision notice dated 9 May 2017; (3) copies of the plans and photographs showing the proposal; (4) links to the planning policies referred to in the delegated report; (5) letters of representation; and (6) the Notice of Review submitted by the applicant along with an accompanying statement.

The LRB was then addressed by Mr Miller who advised that the submitted Notice of Review was found to be valid and submitted within the relevant timeframes.

Mr Miller advised that planning permission was sought for the extension of the outdoor seating area to the front of the café from that previously consented to the pavement edge and provision of enclosure.

In terms of site location, he advised that the site formed an area of paving to the front of a café with outdoor seating at 12 St Swithin Street, close to its junction with Stanley Street. The café was contained within the ground floor of the unit, with residential use (flats) above. The surrounding area was predominantly residential and forms part of the Albyn Place/Rubislaw Conservation Area.

Mr Miller made reference to the Notice of Review submitted by the appellant, in which it stated that precedent had been set in St Swithin Street with respect to other businesses being afforded street cafe enclosures.

Mr Miller indicated that three letters of representation had been received from neighbours. The three letters all objected to the proposal and raised the following matters:

• Enclosing the pavement with a relatively high fence would affect the character  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.