Ben Hendry

1 week ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | Ben Hendry

Plans to turn a closed Union Terrace bank building into student flats have been approved, while a new farm shop could be opening up in a village near Inverurie. These and more feature in this week’s Planning Ahead, our regular round-up of the latest proposals being pondered across the north-east. Every week we bring readers a selection of the most interesting applications submitted to our councils to form changes big and small in our communities.

2 weeks ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | Ben Hendry

Health chiefs say they won’t close ANY sheltered housing sites in Aberdeenshire this year – putting an end to months of uncertainty for worried residents. The Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) announced drastic plans to save about £20 million earlier this year. Scores of services came under threat as bosses scrambled to make savings. And the cash-saving crusade sparked concerns that almost 20 sheltered housing complexes in the north-east could be closed within months.

2 weeks ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | Ben Hendry

Mega Bowl on Aberdeen’s George Street was a cherished spot for generations of city youngsters. It was where they would while away the hours on school holidays, and a go-to destination for high-spirited birthday parties. And at night, it would turn into a bar filled with revellers. It closed at the end of 2005, and the majority of the building was later knocked down – leaving only an unassuming frontage behind.

2 weeks ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | Ben Hendry

Neighbours are fighting a new takeaway near Aberdeen’s peaceful Victoria Park – fearing a rise in litter and cooking smells wafting over the beauty spot. Meanwhile, Caffe Nero has revealed more about its plans for a new city centre coffee shop. These and more feature in this week’s Planning Ahead, our regular round-up of the latest proposals being pondered across the north-east.

2 weeks ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | Ben Hendry

Driving from Aberdeen to Inverness and back to pay a visit at Raigmore is nobody’s dream Saturday afternoon. Doing that stop-start crawl through Elgin and Nairn not once but twice that grey day was more than enough to make me feel I deserved a treat at the end of it. So it was that I decided to cap the journey off by meeting up with a friend in Inverurie for dinner on the way back.