Proposals to radically convert a listed building in the Bridgend area of Perth would kill businesses and blight homes, it has been claimed.
Plans for the site at Main Street/West Bridge Street have been lodged with Perth and Kinross Council for what has been termed “the first stage” of an urban renewal process.
Those behind the plan believe their ambitious modern design will deliver a “combination of regeneration, conservation and economic development” in an area crying out for investment for years.
However, the development has been likened to “an oil rig on top of a Georgian building” by business and residential owners, who have launched a petition in a bid to ensure it never sees the light of day.
Elena Costella, owner of the Elena Costella Yarn and Fibre Studio on Main Street, Bridgend, claimed it could ruin her business and blight the whole area, which has several buildings dating back to the Georgian era.
“This plan will chop off two floors of the existing building and add six floors above it,” she said. “I fear no one will want to come over the bridge when they see it.
“The faade is all there is of the building in the plan, as the whole inside will be rebuilt. Alteration will affect the setting of an A-listed structure, namely Perth Bridge, as well as a number of C-listed buildings in the vicinity.”
Bridgend resident Stuart Glencorse, who lives opposite the development site, said he was preparing a letter of objection before the July 29 deadline and hoped neighbours would do the same.
“The Bridgend area has been neglected for generations and this building in particular badly needs regenerating, but this is not the way to go,” he said.
“It’s like an oil rig has been lowered on to the top of a Georgian building. A modern two-storey addition on the existing template could be quite funky but it’s horrifying to think they might go ahead with this design.
“I would be very supportive of something sympathetic but this building is anything but. It will dominate the whole of Bridgend and I worry it will plunge other properties into shadow.”
The developers claim they have received “encouraging responses” from Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council, Perth Civic Trust and Perth Left Bank Community Development Trust for the proposals.
A design statement issued by Fergus Purdie architects, on behalf of the developer, says: “The project will set a high standard of urbanism and architecture as an example of high and city-based residential accommodation in the city of Perth.
“The general condition of the property has clearly become dilapidated, neglected and run down.
“There is also a derelict external space located within a vacant back land area facing the river Tay. The back land elevation, in particular, is in a very poor condition.”
The design statement claims if the proposal is approved there are other opportunities for further improvements in the area, including redeveloping the redundant old bakery in the back land area.