Plans to revive the dilapidated Kinross Town Hall have sparked big objections from some local people.
The buildings have deteriorated to the extent that they now feature on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.
However, significant objections have been raised to plans that could come to its rescue.
Members of Perth and Kinross Council’s Development Management Committee will consider an application for alterations and a change of use for the buildings, together with the creation of a new apartment block.
The local authority’s Development Quality Manager Nick Brian says the plans have the potential to ”add to the vitality and viability” of the centre of Kinross.
However, Kinross Community Council says they are unsuitable and do not safeguard the listed elements of the town hall.
They include the scheduled and B-listed clock tower, together with the B-listed old post office and town hall and C-listed fountain.
Under the proposals, the entire ground floor would be retail floorspace, with the first floor used as office space.
The applicant is also seeking consent for the creation of eight flats on land to the rear, while a separate application for listed building consent has also been submitted for the demolition of the Billiard Hall, to the rear of the Carnegie Library.
Kinross Community Council has objected to the proposals due to the lack of sufficient detail in relation to the renovation of the listed Town Hall buildings.
In total, 13 letters of representation have been received, including that from the community council, objecting to the proposal.
They detail concerns about the development’s impact upon the listed buildings, together with others over impact on visual amenity, over development, unacceptable design, parking and the demolition of the Billiard Hall.
However, Historic Scotland says it has no objections.
In his report to go before councillors, Mr Brian recommends approval of the plans, stressing the importance of restoring the listed buildings and bringing them back into productive use.
”The current applicant is seeking to use the building for retail and office use and this is deemed to be entirely appropriate in principle, given the nature of the buildings and their central local within Kinross,” he said.
”A number of concerns have been raised in relation to the lack of any proposed detailed plans for the internal and external works associated with the reuse of the building.
”And concerns have also been raised in relation to the timescales involved with any proposed restoration works.
”It is acknowledged there will undoubtedly need to be alterations to both the internal and external fabric of the building to accommodate the proposed uses.
”However, the applicant is not in a position to provide detailed plans as these will only be developed upon securing actual tenants for the proposed units.
”In the short term, the applicant has acknowledged the present condition of the buildings will require immediate action to ensure they are made wind and water tight.”
Mr Brian added: ”The current proposals are simply seeking to secure consent for retail and office use to operate from the Town Hall buildings,” he said.
”At this stage it is difficult to predict the number of jobs which would be generated and the impact this would have on the local economy.
”Nevertheless, given that the buildings are presently vacant, the reuse of the building will undoubtedly create jobs and revitalise this area of the town centre.”