Former Aberdeenshire care home to house Christmas tree workers

A former nursing home in Aberdeenshire is to be turned into housing for seasonal tree workers.

Artur Wandycz of AK Christmas Tree Contractors lodged plans to turn the former Glenesk House care home, in Turriff, into a base for 22 of his employees.

It was closed for the last time in 2015 after its operator Renaissance said it was no longer financially viable.

The former nursing home has been lying empty since, but councillors have now agreed to its new use.

Mr Wandycz will use the building to house employees for his two firms – Green Team Christmas Trees Ltd and Festive Fir Ltd – after being given permission for the change of use by local councillors.

Workers will carry out jobs on 10 different sites across the area throughout the year including planting, pruning, fencing, labelling and harvesting trees.

Mr Wandycz argued the change was needed to house workers together and reduce the amount of travel to the various sites.

However, seven residents living nearby had objected to the proposal.

They stated that the facility had been used this way in the past, and rowdy workers would “loudly and drunkenly” walk to the building.

Others said the “large influx” of people to the quiet community would cause safety worries for those walking around the site.

Road safety was also flagged as a concern.

Despite these objections, Aberdeenshire Council planners recommended the plan be approved.

On Tuesday, the Formartine area committee gave it the go ahead on the chair’s casting vote, following a tie at five votes for and five against.

Story by Local Democracy reporter Kirstie Topp.