A controversial expansion of an “eyesore” Brechin tattie store has been given the green light by Angus planners.
Development standards committee councillors has unanimously followed the approval recommendation of officials in approving the 1,025 square metre extension to the storage operation of J Logan Milne (Brechin) Ltd at Scott Street, with a pledge from the applicant that he will be tidying up the site.
Mr Milne’s assurance came in response to opposition from residents and the town’s community council, who urged the committee to call a halt to the latest commercial expansion of the area.
Planning officials admitted that the new 10.8-metre-high shed will cause morning overshadowing to the gardens of properties in Strachans Park, but concluded that the plan was an acceptable expansion of an existing business which complied with development plan policy.
Addressing the committee on behalf of Strachans Park residents, David Todd made an impassioned plea for councillors to call a halt on the “creeping industrialisation of the area”.
“There has to be a balance between industry and the people in the houses and I feel, and my neighbours feel, that this has just gone a bit too far with this application,” he said.
“This is completely going to put us in a sandwich where we have no outlook, no back access and I am appealing to the development standards committee to raise their standards and not block off Strachans Park completely.
“This kind of industrial development has no place in this residential area.
“Times have changed for the better and no longer should people live on top of their job like miners used to do.”
Angela Adam of Brechin Community Council told the committee: “This is an overbearing extension to a neglected eyesore.
“We want a balance. At the end of the day there are about 100 houses in this area and a primary school in this area.”
Businessman Mr Milne said the expansion was to solve a problem which will be created for the firm by the loss of satellite storage facilities around the area.
He assured the committee and objectors that “no chemicals whatsoever” would be blown into the atmosphere.
Mr Milne also accepted there had been small fire incidents at the site, but disputed the figure of six claimed by objectors.
Ventilation and refrigeration equipment are part of the proposal, but the plant is to be relocated to another part of the site and planning officials have said that should cut down on noise.
Mr Milne said: “We haven’t been the best neighbour, I would agree, but we’re taking steps and the building will improve.”