Plans for 14 new homes in Crieff town centre have been recommended for approval by Perth and Kinross Council, despite more than 40 objections.
Struan Homes applied to the local authority in November to build 10 flats and four houses, complete with landscaping, parking and bin and cycle storage, on the site of the derelict bowling club at Mitchell Street.
A final vote will take place on Wednesday but despite 44 objections from local residents, Perth and Kinross Council’s planning team have advised councillors to vote in favour of the proposals.
Complaints to planners ranged from fears the site is too small for the housing proposed, concerns the greenery between the site and the adjacent retirement housing would be removed and the proximity to the properties in nearby Strathearn Court.
The plans identify the flats would take the form of five buildings with two apartments in each. Struan Homes has outlined 20 parking spaces, along with the four houses with garages – all enclosed in a wooden fence.
Architects’ sketches also show plans for a pedestrian access point from the town centre from the site via Millar Street.
The site, which falls within Crieff Conservation Area, has been abandoned for years and the developers had approached the council last summer with similar plans but with an additional two flats.
Edinburgh building firm Struan racked up 48 complaints in just over a month and withdrew the proposals in early September.
The firm returned with Linlithgow-based :thatstudio chartered architects at the end of the year with revised plans.
Strathearn councillor Roz McCall explained that the plot has been earmarked for construction work for some time.
The Conservative elected member was keen not to prejudice the meeting, as the council’s planning convener.
She said: “Certain members of the community have approached me and I have been out to view the site.
“I understand that some people have concerns and we are expecting a deputation to be made.”
The planning and development management committee meeting will be held at 10am on Wednesday.
