A Perthshire town has been given an extra year to come up with a project to revamp its town centre after it almost lost out on £400,000 worth of funding.
Pitlochry was given £383,000 from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund and originally had until March 2020 to put forward a proposal.
Two proposals were touted to potentially develop the Atholl Road area but talks hit a wall, amid complaints that residents felt excluded from the decision making process.
Concerns had been raised that the money would be re-allocated to another town in Perth and Kinross, and Pitlochry would lose out on a key development.
However Perthshire North SNP MSP John Swinney secured the government’s agreement to extend the funding deadline for Pitlochry until March 2021.
Mr Swinney said: “It would have been a great shame for this money to be squandered or lost completely.
“With the threat of an imminent deadline now removed, it is my expectation that this money should be spent locally, as was originally intended.
“Any attempt to re-allocate the funding elsewhere across Perth and Kinross would be a betrayal of Pitlochry.
“Rather, it is now vital that Perth and Kinross Council take advantage of this extension, and that they engage with locals to arrive at a final project that can enjoy wide support across the town.”
The two projects originally proposed were the creation of a civic space on Atholl Road or the development of a culture and tourism hub at the current area office also on Atholl Road.
SNP’s Highland Perthshire councillor Mike Williamson said the extension was “great news” for the town.
He said: “(It) gives us vital breathing room to ensure we arrive at a final project that everyone can get behind.
“I have consistently argued for a more open consultation over how this funding is allocated, and I am hopeful that we can now bring the entire community on-board with this process.”
A council spokesperson said: “Perth and Kinross Council are delighted to learn of the Cabinet Secretary’s successful intervention and the news of the funding extension through to March 2021.
“The council will continue its endeavours to ensure that the differing views across the community, on the two proposals agreed by council, are resolved to find a way forward.”
