Agenda item

Reference No – 140681

Planning application documents can be viewed here –

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=140681

The Committee had before it a report by the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development which recommended:-

That the Committee express a willingness to approve the application for listed building consent for the installation of replacement signage and refurbishment of the café, subject to the following conditions and referral to Historic Scotland:-

(1)  That no works shall take place to expose the mural, or to remove the covering blue glazing until a detail method statement has been submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority.  The works shall clearly specify what will be removed, and how.  The works thereafter, in exposing the mural, shall take place fully in accordance with the approved method statement; and (2)  for the avoidance of doubt, there shall be no fixings to the internal columns.  The timber screens and internal signage shall not be fixed to the internal columns.

INFORMATIVES

For the avoidance of any doubt, the works hereby approved do not include the removal of the light fixtures or wooden structures, all of which are protected by the listing.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

At this juncture, the Convener spoke in support of the objections submitted by Old Aberdeen Community Council and Old Aberdeen Heritage Society, emphasising that the building was Category A listed and that the proposed illuminated signage was totally out of character in terms of the surrounding Conservation Area.  The Convener therefore requested that the Committee refuse the application.

Accordingly, in terms of Section 7.15 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, the Convener declared an interest in the matter, vacated the Chair and withdrew from the meeting.  Thereupon, the Vice Convener took the Chair.

Councillor Jean Morrison moved as a procedural motion, seconded by Councillor Grant:-

That a site visit be undertaken to allow members to the view the building in the context of the surrounding Conservation Area.

On a division, there voted:-  for the procedural motion  (6)  -  the Vice Convener; and Councillors Boulton, Grant, Jaffrey, Jean Morrison and Townson;  against the procedural motion (7)  -  Councillors Cameron, Corall, Greig, Samarai, Jennifer Stewart, Thomson and Young;  declined to vote  (1)  -  Councillor Cormie;  absent from the division  (1)  -  the Convener.

The Committee resolved:-

to reject the procedural motion and therefore determine the application this day.

Councillor Corall moved, seconded by Councillor Townson:-

That the application be approved in accordance with the recommendation contained within the report.

Councillor Jaffrey moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Greig:-

That the application be refused on the grounds that the proposed refurbishment works and signage, with particular reference to the illuminated sign, would have an adverse impact on the character and setting of the Category A listed building and the surrounding Conservation Area.

Councillor Boulton moved as a further amendment, seconded by Councillor Jennifer Stewart:-

That the application be approved in accordance with the recommendation contained within the report subject to the following additional conditions:-

(3)  For the avoidance of doubt, the existing external doors shall be retained, their replacement not forming part of this decision; and (4)  notwithstanding the details shown in drawing numbers 140681 05, 140681 06 and 140681 36 hereby approved, no development shall commence unless revised drawings showing the signage with no illumination are submitted and approved by the Council (as planning authority).  Thereafter, the development shall be implemented in accordance with these details.

In terms of Standing Order 12(4), Councillor Jaffrey indicated that she wished to withdraw her amendment in favour of the amendment by Councillor Boulton and this was accepted.

On a division, there voted:-  for the motion  (7)  -  Councillors Cameron, Corall, Cormie, Samarai, Thomson, Townson and Young;  for the amendment by Councillor Boulton  (7)   -  the Vice Convener; and Councillors Boulton, Grant, Greig, Jaffrey, Jean Morrison and Jennifer Stewart;  absent from the division (1)  -  the Convener.

There being an equality of votes, in terms of Standing Order 15(5) the Vice Convener exercised his casting vote in favour of the amendment by Councillor Boulton.

The Committee further resolved:-

to adopt the amendment by Councillor Boulton.

At this juncture, the Vice Convener vacated the Chair in favour of the Convener upon his return.