MORE THAN 100 objections have been received for plans to turn a North Queensferry pub into flats.
As reported recently by the Press, plans have been submitted to change the use of the Albert Hotel and convert it into four flats.
The agents for building owner Kenny Waugh say the premises are “unviable” in its current state and argue that refurbishing and converting it into homes will secure the category C building’s future.
However, this has been disputed by the community and a group of local investors outlined plans last month to “rescue” the pub and re-open it with early suggestions that it’ll focus on craft beers, fine wines and pizza.
Plans to change the use have not gone down well with local residents and a total of 104 objections have been lodged.
Among those who have raised concerns to Fife Council’s planning department are North Queensferry Community Council and the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS).
The AHSS said proposed balconies and associated lowered windows would not “preserve or enhance” the character of the listed building.
North Queensferry Community Council say the proposals conflict with planning policies in “multiple respects”, describing the development as “wholly unsuitable and inappropriate”.
They said no evidence had been provided to establish the current use was unviable.
Their objection added: “It is the statutory function of North Queensferry Community Council to convey to Fife Council the sentiments and aspirations of the people of North Queensferry. North Queensferry Community Council would be failing in that duty if it did not report the fundamental objection (made clear by the residents to their community council) to the present proposal which would lead to their being deprived of a facility which they value, especially where there are people who are keen to be given the chance to take over, rehabilitate and restore the Albert to the village.”
The North Queensferry Heritage Trust backed up the objections, adding that there was no evidence of the property being marketed for its existing use.
“The board of the trust has resolved to seek to facilitate the purchase of the Albert so that its continued Class 7 use may be secured for the future,” it stated.
“To that end, the trust actively supports the intention of a consortium of local investors to acquire the Albert, as announced in the Dunfermline Press dated 23rd February.”
The trust say this showed the business was “demonstrably viable” and said if the current owners were not prepared to enter negotiations, they intended to make an application to Scottish ministers for permission to exercise its Community Right to Purchase under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.
In a planning statement, agents for Mr Waugh’s Festival Inns SAAS said the proposed development would provide a “new lease of life” to the existing listed building, transforming a currently empty and unused property in disrepair into several high-quality homes.
“In refurbishing and restoring the property we will also protect it for the future, preventing further water ingress which has already caused damage to the ground floor timbers,” it stated.
“In effect, allowing the conversion of this property will allow it to be safeguarded for future generations at the heart of North Queensferry.”
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