Homes on former Stewart Milne office site rejected

Bancon Construction wanted to demolish Peregrine House on Mosscroft Avenue to make way for the Hillcrest development.

The three-storey building at Westhill Industrial Estate has remained empty since the housebuilder went into administration last year.

The proposed redevelopment included 32 two-bedroom apartments and 13 family homes ranging from two to five bedrooms. Planning documents show that the northern portion of the site would accommodate a new four-storey apartment block, while the larger homes would be located to the east and south. Parking would be provided throughout the remainder of the site, with access from Enterprise Road.

However, councillors refused the plan due to the location and concerns that residents won’t be able to open their windows due to noise from surrounding businesses.

Three Westhill residents objected to the proposals, raising concerns about schools and the town’s health centre being unable to support an influx.

Fears were also voiced about traffic congestion in and around Westhill.

Environmental Health officers were initially against the plan as they thought the homes would be built too close to industrial businesses.

But a noise impact assessment revealed commercial noise levels would have a “low impact” and other measures could be used to reduce sound such as a 3.9m fence and a “closed window” strategy, whereby residents are told to keep their windows closed.

Despite these worries, Aberdeenshire Council planners recommended the proposal be granted and argued it would help with the housing emergency declared by the Scottish Government last year.

At the Garioch area committee this week, the application was refused by 11 to two.