Plans for new major new garden centre face second rejection

PLANS for a garden centre rise from the rubble of the blaze-hit North-east hotel look set to be rejected for a second time.

Victor and Audrey Sang, along with business partner Mike French, want to breathe fresh life into the Old Mill Inn site at Maryculter.

The proposed development on the outskirts of Aberdeen, which also includes five new homes, was revived despite being rejected by councillors in 2021.

But it looks set to be rejected for a second time after planning officials urged Aberdeenshire councillors to axe the plans.

Councillors on the Kincardine & Mearns Area Committee will rule on the proposals when they meet in Stonehaven on Tuesday.

The business partners bought the Old Mill Inn in 1989 and over the years the hotel hosted numerous events including weddings and birthday parties.

It closed its doors in 2014 and underwent a major refurbishment.

But in a cruel twist of fate, the revamped interior was swamped during Storm Frank flooding only months after reopening.

The historic hotel, which had been in operation for around 200 years, was badly damaged following a fire in 2021 and was demolished shortly afterwards.

Over the last four years the owners have been working on plans to redevelop the site while retaining the C-Listed corn mill building that dates back to the 18th Century.

More than 70 people have filed submissions in support of the plans, with backers keen to see new jobs and fresh start for the “eyesore” site.

Supporters include Aberdein Considine co-founder Iain Considine, who wrote: “It has been an eyesore for far too long since the hotel was flooded and had to be closed. The application seems reasonable and will hopefully provide some much needed employment for the area. The houses will be required to make it commercially viable.”

However, 86 people have objected to the plans, citing the lack of accessibility and public transport links serving the site.

Aberdeenshire Council planning officers have recommended that the plans be knocked back on five separate grounds

They include concerns around the lack of public transport passing the site, as well as the visual impact on the area.

You can read the full report here.