Kinross supermarket store rooms conversion will mean 10 new self-catering units for town

Kinross is in line for 10 new self-catering apartments after councillors agreed to plans to convert the store rooms of a town centre supermarket.

The one-bedroom units are planned for the first and second floors above the Greens store on the High Street.

All will have en-suite bathrooms and a kitchenette with a communal lounge on the first floor.

Ten of the 47 spaces in the neighbouring car park will be set aside for guests of the units.

The plans were lodged with Perth and Kinross Council by the property arm of Greens’ parent company Glenshire.

A number of residents objected, along with Kinross Community Council and the Kinross-shire Civic Trust.

However, councillors agreed to a planners’ recommendation that they approve the application when the planning and placemaking committee met on June 5.

A report to the committee said: “The immediate area has a mix of uses, and the property is situated above a supermarket on a busy through route for vehicles passing through the town centre.

“It is considered that the proposed use as a short-term let is compatible with the established character and is unlikely to increase noise and disturbance to a harmful extent.”

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Councillors approved the part change of use and alterations to the building to form 10 short-term let accommodation units.

Eight apartments are planned for the first floor of 54-56 High Street, with two more on the floor above.

Kinross Community Council had warned the scheme could lead to noise and parking problems, as well as conflict with supermarket delivery vehicles.

Kinross-shire Civic Trust also raised concerns over the nature of the accommodation.

Its objection said: “The floor plans indicate 10 en-suite bedrooms and a communal sitting area. There are no kitchen facilities.

“This would suggest very short stay accommodation… These are not flats, they are bedrooms with shower rooms.”

The planners’ report suggested a mix of guests might be attracted to stay.

“These could be for holiday or other uses such as for short term workers in the area,” it explains.

Councillors were told the 10 units will mean a 45% increase in the amount of self-catering accommodation in the area.

But that’s still below the level at which a short-term let control area might be required to protect residents.