Objections have poured in against plans for a retirement village in Scone.
Perth-based Juniper Residential wants to tear down the Wheel Inn bar and restaurant and build 55 homes on the site.
But locals have warned the development will turn Scone into a dormitory village and lead to the loss of more community facilities in future.
Concerns have also been raised about road safety if residents and visitors park on the busy Angus and Stormont roads surrounding the site.
Juniper will take charge of the Wheel Inn, which is still in operation, if its bid for planning permission is successful.
Villagers say it will mean the loss of a popular community amenity, as well as the recycling centre and car park in the grounds, but the developer insists much-needed housing will be provided if the proposals get the green light.
Scone and District Community Council, which led a high-profile fight against 700 homes in the north of the village, has lodged a formal objection, along with 17 individuals.
Chairwoman Vanessa Shand said: “When plans were lodged for the development in the north of Scone, the Wheel Inn was viewed as an important amenity for the village, why is that no longer the case?
“It’s not a brownfield site, it’s a business which is still running. What if developers take the same approach to other shops and businesses in Scone and turn them into houses?
“We will have nothing left and it will become a dormitory for Perth. We need to think to the future and make sure Scone can be sustained as a village in its own right.”
A public consultation was held earlier this year and developers pledged to take residents’ views into account when putting together the planning application, but this has not stopped the complaints.
Another objector, Noel Mckinnie, said: “Scone’s current infrastructure and amenities cannot cope with a further development of this size.
“I am concerned about the increase in traffic this would bring to our already congested and polluted village.”
Some Scone residents have argued the development is necessary to house an ageing population, as the number of people aged 75-79 is forecast to soar by nearly 40% in the next 14 years.
A design statement by Juniper Residential, included with the planning application said: “The assisted living facility will provide a vibrant and lively hotel-like ambience and will welcome residents, family and friends to this outstanding landscaped grounds, at the same time providing a safe and homely environment to residents.
“A state of the art retirement community will deliver a centre of excellence in housing for the elderly in the picturesque village of Scone, whilst benefiting from a close proximity to Perth.
“The facility offers easy access to local amenities and services making an important contribution to existing facilities within Scone.”
The application will be decided by the council’s planning and development management committee but a date has yet to be agreed.
