A decision over heritage cash destined for Kirriemuir has been delayed for at least another month amid a continuing row over a pub’s revamp.
A meeting of the Kirriemuir Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (Cars) steering group was held at the Town Hall over possible beneficiaries from £645,000 in government cash.
A lobbying letter to Angus Council officers, written by residents, said an impending purchase of the empty Airlie Arms Hotel would invalidate the pub as a “priority project” for Cars funding.
The residents said: “As you may be aware, there is significant concern with regard to the identification of 4 St Malcolm’s Wynd, the former Airlie Hotel, as a so-called priority project and consequently the significant proportion of the grant funds which has been allocated to this project, which we consider to be inappropriate, unequal and unfair.”
The letter asked the steering group to cancel the investment at St Malcolm’s Wynd, claiming the multinational corporation Star Pubs had “chosen to allow this listed building to lie vacant and fall into disrepair”.
Angus Council’s built and natural environment manager, Roy Madden, said the letter had now been sent to the steering group asking them to remove the pub from its list of priority projects.
“The deputation you have before you has been signed by a number of people in the town, asking you to remove this from the list of priority projects,” he said.
“Should you decide to do so, we would need to seek permission from Historic Scotland.”
Local councillor Ronnie Proctor said the decision would now have to be referred to full council. Kirriemuir was among several sites picked for cash from the Scottish Government, through Cars, in January.
The scheme aims to improve specific properties in the town’s conservation area which are of architectural or historic interest and are either vacant or partially vacant.
Small grants will also be available to property owners for shop front improvements and other outside repairs, including to historic features such as rainwater goods, windows and stonework.
In addition to the Airlie Arms, there are three other priority projects up for cash the retail and residential property at 1-3 Roods, the warehouse at the back of Ogilvy’s Close and the former church property Glengate Hall.
The steering group is Cathy Stephenson of Kirriemuir Community Council, Paul Fretwell of Kirriemuir Heritage Trust and councillors Jeanette and Iain Gaul and Mr Proctor.
The scheme’s new project officer, Karen West, was also introduced at the meeting and a request was made for members of the public to get involved with the steering group.
Two nominations have been received for the third representative on the steering group and the group is interested in hearing from any interested parties.
They can contact Ms West by emailing KirriemuirCARS@angus.gov.uk.