Council planning officials have approved plans to change the use of the old Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Davidson’s Mains to a coffee shop and first floor 2 bedroom apartment. The site has remained empty since the RBS branch was closed last summer.

A number of conditions were attached to the approval made just before Christmas, including one that cooking, heating, and reheating operations on the premises must be restricted to the use of a panini machine, microwave and soup tureen.  No other forms of cooking or heating will be allowed.  This was in response to some concerns raised over odours from commercial extraction.  Planners were satisfied the new café would not impact on noise in the area.

The shop must also provide two new cycle parking stands (for 4 spaces) for use by staff and customers. There are no operating time restrictions on the new shop.