Winking Owl not loving it over McDonalds extension plan in Aviemore
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A long-established hostelry at the heart of Aviemore has taken issue with the plan for the village's newest fast-food outlet – lodged by no less than McDonald's Restaurants Ltd.
Since the Strathy broke the news of the burger giant's plans to come to the strath there has been controversy.
The first two local social media comments this week over the chain's aim to extend their footprint on Aviemore Retail Park – with an enlargement to the rear of the former Superdrug premises – encapsulate the local view.
Malky Taylor said: "Brilliant news, should have been in Aviemore years ago."
But Jodie Baxter posted: "Nobody needs a McDonald’s in Aviemore. We can all go up to Inverness for a Big Mac meal if we want one."
Now Highland Council planners are recommending approval of the larger McDonald's plan which is to go before the south planning application committee on March 19.
Aviemore and Vicinity Community Council has objected to the plans, citing concerns about litter and the visual impact of the building which it contends will be out of character with its surroundings.
The local watchdog is not alone in citing possible anti-social behaviour among its concerns.
McDonald's have already secured the go-ahead to open in the retail park but the plan now is for a larger outlet, with a new ventilation system.
Agents for the neighbouring Winking Owl object on the grounds of the impact on the amenity of the pub's customers.
The operators state: "No consideration appears to have been given to the potential impact of odour on customers of the pub.
"The beer garden is immediately adjacent to the rear of the proposed development and exposes patrons to the potential for odour from the development."
Noise was another issue – as with the assessment made with odour, if focussed only on the effect to the residential side and not the neigbouring pub business.
A planned corral would move the hot food closer to the boundary of the pub.
In the report to the planning committee, the area planning manager points out: "The floor level of the building sits several metres below the level of the Winking Owl car park and Grampian Road.
"Furthermore, an existing 1.8m high fence between the Winking Owl and the development provides a visual screen.
"Trees have already been planted on the bank between the fence and the retail unit and will mature over time to further limit visibility.
"The proposed works would provide an improved service access and storage space, with changed external ventilation function.
"Furthermore, the external alterations and doors/fenestration would provide better functionality for the use of the premises. Such alterations would normally be expected within (the character of) a modern retail park setting.
"The proposed corral is considered subservient and proportionate in scale to the original building, so would not detract from the character of the original development.
"In order to retain and enhance the banked area of grass and newly planted trees to the north and east sides of the building, it is considered appropriate to condition their protection, retention and enhancement, ensuring that the proposed development would not adversely impact the existing character of the site and the surroundings.
"The proposal corral is small-scale and to the rear of the existing building and therefore is not prominently located."
Congregation of people was not likely to arise as a result of the application.
The planning officer pointed out: “Antisocial behaviour is not a matter for the planning authority in any event."
“The applicant has advised that the provision of additional bins within the retail park is outwith their control, as a matter for the wider management of the overall retail park.
“In this regard, the applicant has indicated that the retail park owners will monitor littering and will introduce additional bins as necessary.”
