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The current owners of the Midmar Inn have lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government, through the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals, against the decision to reject the change of use application made by Aberdeenshire Council. 

 

The appeal assessment is now ongoing, a reporter has been assigned to and is working the case and on Wednesday 24th June conducted a site visit to view the premises first-hand.  The Friends of Midmar Inn Community Company have made written submissions to the appeal and were also represented during the site visit. The site visit was also attended by the owners, the owners representative and the Planning Officer from Aberdeenshire Council.

 

A decision is expected by the middle of August. 

 

 
The Midmar Inn
It was on the 3rd September 2007 that the Midmar Inn, formerly the Cottage Bar, which has been a Public House for 64 years, and a business premises for over two hundred years, closed its doors for a final time and ceased trading.  The current owners had seen a steady decline in customers, a reduced demand for their meals and facilities and as a result profits fell.  Compounded with estimated building renovation costs their business failed.

 

 

What happened next?

 

On the 15th February 2008 a community body, “Friends of the Midmar Inn Community Company”, was established. This enabled local members within the post code areas adjoining the inn, to register a Right to Buy' the Midmar Inn, should the owners decide to sell.  This Right to Buy was eventually awarded to the community, in accordance with Scottish Government legislation on the 4th July 2008.

 

The Friends of Midmar Inn have 105 registered supporters out of a possible 125, of which 30 are full members including 6 directors.  Based on government advice, all registered supporters live in the post codes neighbouring the Midmar Inn.  We have additional support from across Scotland, the UK and abroad and have had substantial financial donations from many people, which we continue to receive.. 

 

The owners applied for change of use to Aberdeenshire Council on the 15 March 2008, with plans to convert the Midmar Inn and the attached domestic premises, where they still live, into a two storey, five bedroomed house with games room and entertainment area. Many people were concerned about the permanent loss of this community asset, even though privately owned, and set about campaigning against the change of use and associated building application.

 

The building application for the Midmar Inn conversion was rejected by Aberdeenshire Council’s Garioch Area Committee on the 11th November 2008.  There was a heated and sometimes detracted debate, with presentation from both sides covering many aspects of the property, the business and the owner’s home. The application was rejected because the Midmar Inn had not been properly marketed and the loss of this public facility had not been justified.

 

So what now?

 

Having achieved the primary objective of the Company, namely, to secure the Right to Buy, efforts are now being directed towards the future of the Midmar Inn should it be placed on the market. By continuing a “research and questionnaire” strategy (initially within the neighbouring post codes), we have concentrated on issues such as:

 

Fund raising, project financing and cost estimation.

 

The future business model and physical appearance of the Midmar Inn which includes such things

as local employment, management plans, new restaurant using local produce, music and live

entertainment, the environmental impact and the socialising of many diverse groups within and

outside Midmar.

 

A business model with a community beneficiaries policy, as required by the Community Right to Buy

legislation, where all profits made from the business are reinvested back into the community, (most

voted for so far are a Midmar Trust Fund, the Midmar Primary School, Midmar Community Hall and

Midmar Kirk).

 

We are currently looking at failing pubs and restaurants, from all over the UK, which have been

bought by local communities and successfully transformed into profitable businesses; at present

there are over 200.  We have meetings with CAMRA (Campaigning for Real Ale), local and

Aberdeen based business people, and public bar and restaurant owners from across

Aberdeenshire.  Most of the company’s monies go towards legal fees. Therefore, the company’s

activities, such as the research and questionnaires, meeting interested parties, letter writing and

campaigning, and the set up and maintenance of our website, is all completely voluntary.

Positive Stories on Community Ownership 

 

 

What about you?
 
Fill in the petition at the Aberdeen CAMRA Website
 

Or if you would like to register your support or air your views then send an e-mail to the Community Company by clicking on the following link.

mailto:info@savethemidmarinn.co.uk