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Rational
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 7
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Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:59pm
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In a similar vein to the changes in fortunes of county pubs, another pub which has seen mixed fortunes is the at Learney at Torphins only some 6 miles away. It has had its ups and downs but there are new owners with a plan to refurbish it. They are gutting the bar etc. and the reason is because of the good economy in Aberdeenshire.
The Midmar Inn is even closer to town and surely could benfit from the development near Westhill of the industrial park and Westhill itself.
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anax
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Jun 2006
Posts: 7434
Location: GrampianLife
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Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:31pm
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You can see the full front-page article, referred to by undone on the previous page of this thread, by clicking the link below...
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A FORMER Donside pub landlord has hit back at locals who have criticised him for closing his rural inn.
The Midmar Inn shut its doors last September - much to the dismay of locals - and former landlord David Cooper has now used an internet website to justify its closure.
Landlord hits back at critics: Piper and Herald |
The story seems mainly based on the post made by David Cooper above (I feel the story should have properly referenced this site).
I've spoken to a number of local residents who have been to the pub. The feeling seems to be regret at its passing, but understanding that the owners can't be expected to support a failing business.
If a buyer can be found who would like to keep the pub going, I believe that would be the happiest outcome for the local community. And given the local interest, I'm not sure the planners at Aberdeenshire Council would grant an application for a change of use for the premises unless some attempt to find such a buyer had been made.
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anax
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Jun 2006
Posts: 7434
Location: GrampianLife
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Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:49pm
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The latest on the Midmar Inn story is that an application has been made seeking:
It's a tough one. I can understand the owners wanting to realise the most from their assets. But I have a lot of sympathy for the 'Save the Midmar Inn' group who would like the Inn to be sold as a business to give another owner a go....
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The Friends of Midmar Inn Action Group proposed to 'Let the Market Decide' the future of the Inn and requested that the premises be marketed at its business value. After all, each previous owner had their own reasons for selling but they all did the decent thing and put the property on the market and let someone else have a go.
The Future of the Midmar Inn - Time to Have Your Say: Save the Midmar Inn |
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Rational
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 7
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Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:55pm
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As predicted the pub has NOT been marketed, and it is now up for conversion to housing. What a waste!
There is enormous support within the community for there to be a pub, and I would encourage everyone to object to the change of use application.
I think it is unfortunate for the owners that they did not make a go of it, but it is like any other business, and some people are succesful and others are not....
Pubs are probably a particular case in point where the 'formula' of personality and ideas of how it should be run either works or doesn't. This didn't, and neither did the Dunecht bar until the new landords came in. Now 'Jaffs'has changed from being under the axe and threat of closure to being a raging success.
The Midmar Inn is an important asset for a dispersed community and surely needs to be given a chance to continue as a pub.
Fight to stop this appallling and unnecessary loss!!!!
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anax
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Jun 2006
Posts: 7434
Location: GrampianLife
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:20pm
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I think you make a good point about country pubs, Rational, that
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| the 'formula' of personality and ideas of how it should be run either works or doesn't |
Getting that formula right is an increasingly difficult challenge. And I'd think there's more chance of someone getting the Midmar Inn up and going again profitably than building a new pub. If the pub goes, it's gone.
I'd keep no pub afloat but I've had a few very enjoyable evenings over the past few months in a fairly remote pub. They were showing films out the back. Keeping pubs open that enable such sociability, and a place to meet your remoter neighbours does seem a good idea.
More coverage on the frontpage of the Piper and Herald today. I was interested to read
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"We've had discussions with CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and they have a series of tests that a pub can do to see if it's viable. The owners are saying 'the place isn't viable so we're turning it into a house'. Evidence round about it shows they are viable and it depends on how they run it. It should be sold on as a pub...
Plans to convert Donside pub into house: Piper and Herald |
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anax
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Jun 2006
Posts: 7434
Location: GrampianLife
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:05pm
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I received the following information today. I applaud the community for putting their energy and cash into doing something for the good of local residents... 
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The community of Midmar in rural Aberdeenshire have been awarded the ‘Right to Buy’ their local inn by Scottish Ministers.
The community ‘Right to Buy’ has been awarded under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 to a company limited by guarantee set up as a ‘Community Body’ by local people after concerns were raised about the loss of their valuable rural amenity.
The secretary of the Friends of Midmar Inn Community Company, Mrs Margot Kennedy said that “This relatively new piece of legislation is usually associated with crofters and tenant farmers having the right to buy the land they farm but the Act also enables communities in certain areas to register the right to buy land and buildings for the benefit of the community. Should the inn be put on the market, The Community Body now have first refusal to buy it and will be given six months to do so.”
“Completing the application was an expensive and arduous process: we had to raise £800 and demonstrate that our ideas for the future of the inn were compatible with furthering sustainable development, would increase the social and economic advantage to the community and that we had the support of the community to do so. We achieved this through submitting an exciting proposal to develop a community amenity which where possible would use local products and provide local employment during the development and ongoing operation.” she said.
In reaching this decision Scottish Ministers noted the following:-
“Re-instating the Inn will serve the public interest by allowing the development of exciting and interesting community initiatives aimed at halting the decline of this vibrant rural community”.
“Re-establishing the Inn will improve the prospects for employment and for other businesses. Engaging local craftsmen to refurbish the premises will help in reversing the economic decline currently being experienced by this community and help generate employment in an area with few options to work locally”.
“Profits from the Inn will be used to develop the business, extend its range of functions available for use by the community and support local group and projects, thus ensuring the Inn's long term future as a valuable community resource”.
“In a dispersed community such as Midmar, with a lack of communal facilities, a central meeting place is extremely important”.
Save the Midmar Inn: The Friends of Midmar Inn Community Company
The successful application: The Scottish Government
Information on the Land Reform (Scotland) Act: The Scottish Government |
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Rational
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 7
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:02pm
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Absolutely bloomin' marvellous! I've been away and have just seen this last post re the Community Right to Buy. All credit to them for getting their act together and not just standing by and letting another pub close to be turned into houses.
I think that they are allowed to assert their opinion and this is correct in a democracy - it apears that the community wants to give it a go. Good on them.
I've just been for a pint in Jaffs in Dunect (6 miles away) and its going like a fair! To me this overturns arguments that a place isn't viable due to the smoking ban and distance from town.
What do they have that other landlords don't????
Good luck with the Planning objection!
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anax
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Jun 2006
Posts: 7434
Location: GrampianLife
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Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:14am
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Here is the latest from the Friends of Midmar Inn Community Company. They elaborate on the "potential departures" from Aberdeenshire Council's development plan which the council has put on public notice (published in the Inverurie Herald, 26/9/08, attached below).
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Employment Policy 1 - "There shall be a presumption in favour of retaining existing sites (greenfield and brownfield) for industry and business use."
The Midmar Inn is a Public House (albeit currently closed) and the land on which it is situated is classified for employment purposes. Employment Policy 1 makes it very clear that there is a presumption in favour of retaining such sites for industry and business use and not for housing. The policy lists exceptions that could be made by the planning authorities but none of these apply in the case of the Midmar Inn.
Housing Policy 4 Part 2 "In all cases, the developer will be required to demonstrate that: b) the existing building is no longer required or suitable for its original purpose"
This policy states that in all cases where a non residential vernacular building is to be converted for residential use (such as the Midmar Inn) the developer must demonstrate either that the existing building is no longer required or is unsuitable for its original purpose. The Friends of Midmar Inn Community Company have demonstrated very clearly that there is overwhelming community support to reopen the Inn. Whilst they acknowledge that the Inn needs refurbishment, it has always remained suitable for purpose: had it not been, then Aberdeenshire Council Environmental Health Department would have closed it down.
Housing Policy 7 "it does not significantly reduce the amenity of neighbouring residents"
This policy makes it clear that an extension to a house will be approved, in principle, providing it reflects the character of the surrounding area and does not significantly reduce the amenity of neighbouring residents. The current planning application to Change the Use of the Midmar Inn seriously diminishes the character of the surrounding area which has enjoyed a "watering hole” at this location for over 100 years. Clearly it also reduces the amenity, not only for the local community, but also for many people from a wider area, including tourists from all over the world, who used to enjoy the convivial atmosphere at the Midmar.
General Policy 1 "Sustainability Principles - Development will be assessed against sustainability indicators that relate to the local environment, community and economy, demonstrated by whether the proposal:
b) is well related to existing settlements and avoids dispersed patterns of development;
c) reduces the need to travel using private cars, by being close to existing public transport or allowing safe, easy access by walking and cycling;
h) does not prejudice future development opportunities nor create a precedent for inappropriate future development patterns;"
The planning application for the Midmar Inn flies in the face of almost every single clause in General Policy 1. Ironically the Friends of Midmar Inn Community Company have plans for the Midmar Inn that support almost every clause in General Policy 1. Some of their key words are “Sustainability” “Community Facility” and “Carbon Footprint”.
General Policy 2 "f) it respects important public views;"
This policy makes it very clear that developments need to respect important public views as well as the character and amenity of the surrounding area. The plans of the Friends of Midmar Inn Community Company incorporate many of the clauses in general Policy 2. Those of the current owners of the Inn do not.
Structure Plan Policy 12
“The conversion of an existing non-residential vernacular building to a single house ……. must be within the building’s original structure”
The author of this Press Release is neither architect nor planner but it might appear that the ground floor plan submitted as part of the application for Change of Use clearly shows an large extension to the back of the property (labelled “living room”) which is attached to the existing public house and not to the existing dwelling house.
Ironically the plans for this very grand, five bed roomed house have a bar and a games room which are situated in the existing, historic public house! |
You can view the planning application and submit comments to the council here:
Ref: APP/2008/0932: Aberdeenshire Council
Click image for full size
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undone
Joined: 28 Nov 2007
Posts: 5
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Suspicious
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:45am
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I notice that the Garioch Planning Committee have rejected the application to change the use of the Midmar Inn. That aligns with the Planning Officer’s recommendation based on the findings of his report published on the Council's Planning website. The report confirms much of what has been suggested in this chat string, particularly that there has been little or no capital invested in the business and that no real effort or money has been put into marketing it as a going concern. In fact, the planning officer reports that he recently received a letter confirming the property was not up for sale.
What is worrying however is that the committee vote was so close. I understand that several of our elected councillors voted against the planning officer’s recommendation (and therefore against planning policy) because they had sympathy for the situation portrayed by the owners. Am I the only one suspicious of this situation? Why would anyone deliberately run down the value of a business premises when there’s someone out there (the community and goodness knows who else if it were to be marketed) who wants to buy it at valuation? Why would anyone go to the cost and trouble of further devaluing the property and board up the doors and windows the week before the planning meeting and then hand round photographs to the committee. Did that help the sympathy vote? Why, if you had the money available to convert the premises to a luxury home, would you fail to fix the heating system and spend a winter getting cold (as reported by the owners to the P&J)?
Maybe it’s just my suspicious mind!
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David C
Joined: 30 Nov 2007
Posts: 6
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Midmar Inn
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:45am
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In reply to undone's letter.
The Midmar Inn, needs to be gutted. So that's the reason I have not had the central heating fixed... It has been patched up for years, I'm not prepared to do that anymore, it will be done properly this time. The pub has been closed for over a year now, people just need to get on with their lives & butt out of my life.
David Cooper
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