A million-pound bid to transform a Highland Perthshire town centre has won crucial backing from planning chiefs, despite widespread criticism from businesses and residents.
Councillors will be asked next week to approve a dramatic overhaul of Aberfeldy Square, with new lighting, pavements and street furniture, in an effort to make the area more attractive to visitors.
A five-month construction programme was due to begin three weeks ago but was postponed after complaints from traders.
They believe work will deter customers during the busy summer season. There are also concerns about the loss of 14 parking spaces, with drivers encouraged to use bays at the town’s community campus.
In his report, the council’s head of planning and development David Littlejohn defends the timeline.
“All development projects have some degree of disturbance, and it is envisaged that there will be some disturbances for local businesses, residents and visitors during the construction phase.
“Any disruption will be kept to a minimum, and the long term benefits for the local community are considered to outweigh any consequences of construction.”
Councillors will be urged to grant planning permission on Wednesday, so work can get under way in the middle of next month. Delaying a decision for any reason could throw a spanner in the works.
More than 30 people have objected to the scheme, including two community councillors.
Susan Dolan-Betney, chairwoman of the Glenlyon and Loch Tay group, said: “This plan is focused on a small section of the population.
“It has not looked realistically at the parking needs of Aberfeldy for all the people who use the town, as well as the expected visitors.
“Neither has it taken into consideration the needs of people from the rural areas and the increasing ageing population or the future needs for parking in the town.”
She has called for the project to be scrapped to allow time for further consideration on a “more comprehensive plan better suited to the long term needs of the area, not just Aberfeldy.”
Mike Haggerton, who runs the Habitat Cafe, said it could signal the death knell for his award-winning business.
“If we don’t get people through the door in the summer, then there is a credible risk that we just won’t be here next year,” he said.
Victor Clements, chairman of Aberfeldy Community Council, has written a letter of support to planners, but urged them to keep disruption to a minimum.
