Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The following transparency statements were noted.

·       In relation to item 5.2 on the agenda (planning appeal digest), Councillor Cooke advised that he had engaged with a constituent in relation to the Cromwell Road application/appeal, however as the item was just for noting, at this stage he noted a transparency statement, however should the item be discussed, he would declare an interest and leave the meeting;

·       In relation to item 6.1 (West Church of St Nicholas, Back Wynd, Aberdeen), Councillor Boulton advised that she previously was the lead for the City Centre Masterplan, however did not consider that this amounted to an interest which would prevent her from participating in the item; and

·       Also in relation to item 6.1, the Vice Convener noted that he was the Council appointed Master of Kirk and Bridge Works but did not consider that this amounted to an interest which would prevent him from participating in the item. 

The Committee had before it the minute of the previous meeting of 13 March 2025, for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record. 

The Committee had before it the committee business planner, as prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance. 

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to note that in relation to item 29 (Planning Guidance in regards to drive thru’s), that a report would come back to Committee soon;

(ii)            to note the reasons for the removal of items 18 (James Hutton Institute - 241146) and 19 (Stoneywood House - 241406) and

(iii)          to note the committee business planner.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, which provided an update in relation to various planning appeals.

The report informed Members about planning appeals and notifications in relation to Aberdeen City Council decisions that the Scottish Government’s Division for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) had received or decided since the last Planning Development Management Committee meeting and also listed appeals that were still pending.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the information contained in the planning appeal digest.

Planning Reference – 250148

All documents associated with this application can be found at the following link and enter the refence number above:-

Link.

Planning Officer:  Alex Ferguson

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, which recommended:-

That the application for Listed Building Consent for internal alterations to provide renewed services and welfare facilities at West Kirk/Drum Isle/Tower including removal of partitions and doors; removal/relocation of boxed pews; removal of roof lantern; installation of flues and extract; and installation of signage with associated works, at West Church of St Nicholas, Back Wynd,  Aberdeen, be approved subject to the following conditions:-

Conditions

(1) BUILDING SURVEY

Prior to any of the hereby approved works taking place, all areas of the building where works are proposed shall be surveyed and a detailed, photographic survey accompanied by floor plans recording the existing state of the building prior to alteration shall be submitted to, and agreed in writing by, the Council as planning authority.

Reason: In order to accurately survey the building prior to the works taking place, to provide a detailed record of its historic fabric and internal layout for future generations.

(2) HEATING, LIGHTING AND CCTV DETAILS

Prior to the hereby approved heating (including external flues), lighting and CCTV camera fixture installation works taking place, precise details of the specification and sitings of all such fixtures, as well as details of any associated cable routing, shall be submitted to, and agreed in writing by, the Council as planning authority. Thereafter the works shall take place in accordance with the agreed details.

Reason: In order to preserve the special character, architectural and historic interest of the building.

(3) PEW AND RAISED TIMBER FLOOR REMOVAL METHODOLOGY

Prior to any works taking place to remove the pews and raised timber floor panels hereby approved for removal, as shown on approved drawing (01)200 Revision C (Proposed Downtaking Floor Plans), and any associated works to make good the flooring once the pews have been removed, a detailed methodology for those works shall be submitted to, and agreed in writing by, the Council as planning authority.

Reason: In order to minimise the risk of damage to the original flagstones beneath, and to preserve the special character, architectural and historic interest of the building.

(4) PROGRAMME OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORKS

No ground-breaking works in connection with the development hereby approved shall commence unless an archaeological written scheme of investigation (WSI) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority informing how an appropriate programme of archaeological mitigation will be carried out for the ground-breaking works. The WSI shall include details of how the recording and recovery of archaeological resources found within the application site shall be undertaken, and how any updates, if required, to the written scheme of investigation will be provided throughout the implementation of the programme of archaeological works. Should the archaeological works reveal the need for post excavation analysis the development hereby approved shall not be brought into use unless a post excavation research design (PERD) for the analysis, publication and dissemination of results and archive deposition has been submitted to and approved in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.