Controversial plans by one of Britain’s biggest pub chains to open a new restaurant on the edge of Perth have been resurrected.
Councillors kicked out proposals for a Greene King establishment at the Broxden Business Park after a spate of objections from nearby residents.
The plan was rejected despite assurances that the new venue would create around 60 jobs and help boost the local economy.
Opponents argued that the site should instead be preserved for an office development, creating “higher value” employment.
Now Suffolk-based Greene King which operates hundreds of pubs across Britain, including the popular Hungry Horse chain has mounted a bid to overturn the councillors’ decision.
The company is appealing to the Scottish Government, arguing that there is already an “oversupply” of offices in Perth and little little interest from potential employers in the site, which is off Lamberkine Drive.
The plans include a pub/restaurant, as well as a drive-through branch of Costa coffee.
Objectors feared the development would lead to an increase in litter and anti-social behaviour.
In their submission to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA), agents acting for Greene King state that staff would be committed to keeping the area clear of rubbish.
A spokesman said: “It is in the interests of both operators (Greene King and Costa) to ensure that their premises are litter-free to create a welcoming, pleasant environment for customers and neighbours.
“With regard to anti-social behaviour, Green King has a strict policy on controlling this. They do not allow large groups, such as football supporters or hen or stag parties, access to their restaurants in order to maintain the family-friendly, relaxed dining experience.”
He added that a recent independent study showed that there was “currently a high level of vacant office space within Perth, with a weak demand for both established and new-build office premises”.
“The proposed development will assist in attracting future employment users to the vacant, adjacent plots,” the agency Turley said.
“Given the long-standing allocation of the site, which has not resulted in a successful office development being constructed, consideration of a suitable alternative form of development is long overdue, particularly one that will, itself, create a range of job opportunities well-suited to local jobseekers,” said the consultant’s spokesman.
“It is far from being premature.
“The current allocation is sterilising the future prospects of development on the site.”
Councillors voted against the pub chain’s controversial plan at a meeting of the development control committee held in December.
Councillor Willie Wilson was one of the voices against the restaurant proposal, which he said did not comply with the local plan.
“To give away this site for this type of development is something we might regret in the future,” he said.
A reporter for the Scottish Government’s DPEA is expected to issue the appeal ruling by mid-May.