Concerns new hotel would overlook school classrooms

An Aberdeen school has raised concerns that rooms in a planned city centre hotel could provide a "direct line of sight" into some of its classrooms.

Robert Gordon's College (RGC) is calling for the issue to be addressed after plans were submitted for the 132-room complex.

Chief operating officer Kenny Gunnyeon said the proposal raised "serious and significant safeguarding and privacy concerns".

Grove Hotels Limited, which is behind the plans, said it hoped the application would be seen as continuing the revitalisation of the Schoolhill area.

Previous planning permission was granted for a hotel at the site, which had been part of Robert Gordon University, in 2015 but this never came to fruition.

RGC said it supported the development because it would bring back into use "neglected" buildings, but called for the line of sight issue to be addressed.

Responding to a planning application, Gunnyeon said: "As a three-18 school, the college represents a sensitive site which must be fully considered and treated as such."

He said some rooms would "directly overlook" both the college's external quad, and the rear of its science and technology building.

"This would provide direct line of sight into classrooms, teaching spaces, and offices, some as little as 15m away," he said.

Gunnyeon added there were fears a lack of parking provision in the plans would also cause issues.

Grove Hotels Limited said it may sign an agreement with a chain to run the hotel, which is expected to create 60 jobs.

It would also run a bar and restaurant from the site.

In support of its application, the company said it hoped to get the same positive response as the previously granted application.

The company said: "The local neighbourhood has probably declined a little in the intervening decade."

It added that "significant investment" in Aberdeen Art Gallery and other buildings within the Robert Gordon campus had been "hugely beneficial".