Developer backtracks on threat to bulldoze Aberdeen’s Loirston House as flats plan approved on appeal.

Plans to save the former Altens office complex from demolition will now proceed following a successful appeal.

It is envisaged that the new specialist flats will assist alleviate bed blockage issues at ARI. Plans to convert the abandoned Loirston House into specialised housing have been approved following an appeal, preventing its demolition at the last minute.

Developer Ittan Rose previously told The P&J that he was “close to giving up” on the ideas after they were rejected by council planning inspectors.

However, the former Altens office blocks have been granted permission to be transformed into bariatric flats after councillors rejected the initial decision.

Concerns had previously been raised that the site’s proximity to industrial buildings and a dual road made it unsuitable for residential development.

However, elected members argued that the necessity to halt “the continued demolition of buildings” in Aberdeen outweighed this.

What are the plans for Loirston House?

Owners CTL Estates had intended to demolish the Altens building, which was costing the company “well in excess” of £100,000 per year to stay unoccupied.

However, the Manchester-based developers had a change of heart in March and considered transforming some of the land into specialist bariatric housing for obese people.

Bariatric concerns can affect people with hereditary abnormalities or those suffering from mental health problems, and there is now a severe lack of this type of housing in the northeast. Drawings indicate how the former office buildings would be converted into a total of 24 flats, nine of which would be reserved for this specific requirement.

Planning department officials previously protested that locating a residential construction in the heart of a more industrial-focused area was “contrary to the aims” of planning policy.

They also stated that situating it adjacent to a dual highway was not a good idea.

However, the corporation behind the project was not going to take this refusal lightly.

‘We don’t want to see the continued demolition of buildings’

CTL Estates contested the first ruling, and the hearing was held earlier this week. Developers argued that Aberdeen was in severe need of this type of accommodation.

They also claimed that their initiatives will result in shorter wait times at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, which has received widespread attention.

Councillor Neil Copeland claimed that Loirston House was “unsuitable” for the development and expressed worries about the flat sizes being too tiny.

Lower Deeside councillor Marie Boulton supported the plans, stating, “It has reasonable amenities.” “There’s a wonderful little woodland nearby, and public transport is easily accessible. “It is located back from the roadway.

There’s an Aldi on the corner, a tavern across the street, and a handful of homes on Wellington Road. “What I don’t want to see is the continued demolition of buildings, particularly when they have to pay business rates etc.”

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What was Loirston House decision?

Finally, councillors approved the ideas three to one, much to the satisfaction of the Loirston House staff.

Bradley Craig, the architect behind the projects, stated that it will provide “great value to the lives of its residents, as well as the broader community”.

“The benefits of brownfield development are many, and this scheme will further regenerate the area,” he said.

The proposals were attached, with the condition that a signal crossing be erected on Hareness and Wellington Roads.

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