Pitlochry residents turned out in force at the weekend to unite against controversial plans for their town centre.
More than 75 people attended a “last-minute” meeting in the town hall on Sunday to make their views known on the future of Bank House. People were also given the chance to sign a petition ahead of Friday’s council deadline.
Aviemore firm Upland Developments wants to demolish the historic building on Atholl Road and build a budget motel complex and mini-supermarket in its place.
Locals are concerned it would “destroy” the town’s Victorian charm, which is key to attracting tourists. Instead, they want the conservation site to be enhanced, creating a focal point for people of all ages.
The Pitlochry Conservation Society (PCS) is pushing for planning officials to have an alternative vision when making any decisions. Last year it commissioned graduates of Glasgow’s Mackintosh School of Architecture to come up with “commercially-viable” designs.
In September, the group presented two town square options with tourist accommodation, retail, housing and enhanced walking routes linking main thoroughfares, which they said were “in keeping with the town’s natural beauty and attractiveness to tourists.”
The developers submitted a slightly-amended design in December, which included an enlarged open space, but it failed to raise the spirits of residents.
After Sunday’s meeting, PCS member Roger West said, “The people of Pitlochry showed their determination in no uncertain terms to battle on against the threat to their historic and beautiful town. Objectors only have until Friday to register their views with the Perth and Kinross planners and so far only an application to demolish the Bank House has been registered, with no formal application showing details of what will take its place.
“If the developer’s plans are anything like those he submitted last year, the people of Pitlochry have already given their verdict, which was a resounding ‘no’. Perth and Kinross Council have so far been extremely dilatory in handling this planning application which is causing anger in Pitlochry. In an election year this is difficult to comprehend.”Heritage buildingAlready, 26 letters of objection have been registered, including one from the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, which strongly objects to the destruction of a heritage building which cannot be replaced.
PCS chairman Jim Tyrrell urged more people to make their views known, saying, “A massive overbuild of such proportions, as proposed by Uplands, will ruin our image as one of Scotland’s prettiest towns. Unbelievably, their application to demolish was submitted, initially, without all the detailed drawings. This is a specific requirement when seeking to demolish buildings in a conservation area.
“The quality and dimensions of the new build must be seen to improve and not to diminish the site.The Bank House is a heritage build with rare architectural features, is in reasonable condition, but once demolished can never be replaced. Not surprisingly, the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland were quick off the mark and have already registered an objection alongside the 26 others.”
The plans re-submitted by Upland Developments also include the demolition of the Greggs Bakery building.
PCS co-founder Kate West added, “It is not a case for wrapping the town up in aspic and not embracing progress. It is about a highly-successful tourist town being enhanced for residents and tourists alike for years to come. The Macintosh students proved that the Bank House could be integrated into a fabulous new centre for Pitlochry. It could become a landmark, a real talking point that enhances and benefits the town. We do not need a quick, cheap fix.”