Councillors have approved the conversion of a prominent Arbroath property into an 11-bed guest house in the face of a host of local objections over lack of parking.
The husband and wife developers behind the plan to turn 13 Maule Street into luxury self-catering flats say they hope to add much-need bedrooms to the town’s tourism offering.
Planning officials said the nine off-street car parking spaces planned were well within the requirements of council policy, but neighbours have warned of potential problems in a dead-end street already covered by double yellow lines.
The Cito Cimo Properties proposal for the six-bedroomed property, next to Burnside Drive, will see it converted into a mix of accommodation, with a common space and dining/kitchen area for guests to prepare their own meals.
Applicant Dr Mohammad Namavar told Angus development standards committee: “We have a successful record in Aberdeen and the Angus area of bringing empty and unloved properties back to life.
“We have identified a gap in the Arbroath tourism market for high-end accommodation, targeting mainly golfers and other tourists.”.
Ann Rase, the owner of a guest house opposite the property, was among those who raised concerns.
She said: “The back entrance to my property is a fire escape. Parking on the street is already bad due to the double yellow lines.
“It is not suitable for deliveries in its current state and people already double park on this road, blocking my guests in.
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“I have parking for six people and my garden space is much bigger. I can’t see how you would fit nine cars in there.
“I’m not objecting on terms of competition – I would agree that we need more properties in the area – but I don’t see how you can bring more cars into the area when there’s not enough room for the people who actually live there.”
Arbroath West and Letham SNP councillor Alex King said: “I have known this building for a very long time – it has had a sad history and has been virtually derelict after work started and wasn’t finished.
“On balance, I believe that this is a viable proposal for this site and it will provide much-needed bedroom accommodation in Arbroath,” he said.
“I would much rather it was serviced accommodation rather than self-catering but there is a demand for both so I welcome the regeneration of this building and hopefully it will happen.”
