Planned for a site at the junction of Victoria Street and Westfield Road, the life centre would include a health centre, retail units, a café, a 10m swimming pool, a spa pool, a gym, offices and a central multi-functional atrium space.

The development, proposed by Carden Medical Investments Ltd, has attracted criticism from local residents and Inverurie Community Council.

A total of 84 letters of representation have now been received, with only three in support of the application.

Concerns included increased traffic in the area, the potential of anti-social behaviour, the impact of the development on local residents and the location of the health centre, which would be on the first floor of the development.

One of the main objections is due to a loss of green space, which includes a playing field used by Inverurie Academy, local sports clubs and other members of the public.

A public hearing, held last month to allow councillors to hear from those who had previously made written representations, was described by committee members as useful and informative.

However, despite recommendation for approval by members of planning and environmental services, planning permission was refused.

When the application arose in the agenda of this week's Garioch Area Committee meeting, Inverurie and District Councillor Bryan Stuart quickly put forth his own view of the proposal.

He said: "This is a unique green space in the very heart of Inverurie. If you like, it is a commercial development with a health centre attached. The traffic increase will be substantial. Most of what is being proposed is already available in the town.
"I don't like the access to the first floor. I'm really not happy."

East Garioch Councillor Martin Ford sympathised with his colleague's concerns, and suggested that approving such a complex and controversial application was "never going to be easy to do", but firmly stated his support of the Life Centre proposal as a whole.

Councillor Ford explained: "It is appropriate that this centre be located in the centre of town. I think it's a fact, no one's going to disagree, that the existing medical centre is past it's best.

"I actually think the proposal as it were is better than just a medical centre. I think it shows a lot of foresight (and] the building is an acceptable modern design. It will be a good statement building that will be a credit to the town."

Answering the question of increased traffic in the area leading to the centre, Councillor Ford continued: "It is a relocation of a travel generator.

"These are visits people have to make that are currently made to Inverurie town centre.
"I am prepared to support the application. I think if it's turned down, it will be an opportunity missed."

Westhill and District Councillor Gurudeo Saluja also agreed with the concept of the Life Centre, although he had strong concerns regarding the sustainability and environmental aspects of the development.

In response to this concern, Inverurie and District Councillor and Committee Chair Martin Kitts-Hayes commented that the committee "would want to encourage the development to be as environmentally friendly as possible", but added that it was beyond their power to stipulate environmentally friendly aspects of the building.

The issue of traffic was a concern repeatedly expressed by members who were present at the meeting.

Councillor Kitts-Hayes spoke of adding a condition to the planning permission, stipulating that the impact of traffic on the road concerned be reduced through further means than a 20mph zone.

Roads bumps were one suggestion made by the Chair.

As discussions came to a close, Councillor Stuart proposed the motion to reject the application, and was seconded by East Garioch Councillor Fergie Hood.

Councillor Stuart explained: "I believe the existing site is much better located. I don't think this is a sustainable site.

"We're losing far too much green site in Inverurie.

"It's a new commercial facility (and] I think this is fundamentally being mis-described. I think we have an alternative site and that is the existing site."

Councillor Ford then proposed an amendment that planning permission be granted, on the basis of the conditions previously suggested regarding traffic.

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Saluja, who also repeated his stance that sustainability is an important factor.

When put to the councillors to vote, six were for the motion and four for the amendment.
The motion was therefore carried and planning permission for the proposed Garioch Life Centre refused by the committee.

• Planning permission for the erection of six dwellinghouses on land at Parkside, Durno was also sought at Tuesday's meeting of the Garioch Area Committee.

Put forward by Bennachie Land Company Ltd, the proposal was for outline planning permission for the erection of six houses at the site.

Following the original planning application, 19 letters of representation were received, with one issue being that there are currently environmental and public health concerns with the local burn, due to the outflow from existing soakaways in the village.

There are concerns that further development with soakaways will intensify present problems.
Members of the committee were informed that a letter had been received from SEPA on Friday (September 7), stating their wish to submit a holding objection to the application in wait of further information and full details for drainage.

A site visit was agreed on by the committee, and the application deferred for further information and the chance for the applicant to respond to the consultation.