The planning convener of Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council has hit back at claims he is ignoring public opinion in a bid to reach a “compromise” with town centre developers.
John Pearson contacted The Courier after being accused of gambling with Pitlochry’s future by a group of local conservationists who, he says, are “destroying the ethos of the town.”
Pitlochry Conservation Society (PCS) questioned why no official objection was lodged against Upland Developments’ plans to build a budget motel on the site of the former Greggs bakery in Atholl Road.
In a public letter to the community council, PCS secretary Tony Willmore claimed that local residents had voted “overwhelmingly” against such a development at a recent meeting.
Mr Willmore went on to suggest that accepting the motel was a “tactic” to safeguard the historic Bank House from demolition and warned that the decision had been taken without a mandate.
However, Mr Pearson, who has served on the community council for three years, said he remained committed to representing the views of the public.
He denounced the society as a “splinter group set upon scaremongering” and revealed that it had pressured seven community council members to step down.
“I have, and always will have, the town’s best interests at heart,” he told The Courier.
“The community council has listened to local residents and acted accordingly.
“We strongly contest plans to demolish Bank House to make way for a supermarket and retail units and submitted an objection to Perth and Kinross planning department last week.
“However, the Greggs building, fronting on to Atholl Road, is derelict and unsafe and should be demolished. It is quite different to Bank House, which could be adapted for a new viable use, and the majority of local residents agree with this.
“We have no objection to the proposed replacement for the Greggs site or its proposed use as a motel if a number of changes are made, including widening the pavement outside, reducing the number of rooms in the premises and using in-keeping building materials.”
He added, “Pitlochry Conservation Society are determined to halt any development, without considering the benefits to the community and local businesses.
“While the community council also want to ensure the town keeps its charm, we don’t want to ruin shops and restaurants in the process.
“PCS are scaremongering and represent a very small minority view. They are not the spokespeople for Pitlochry.”
On a recent visit to Aviemore where Upland Developments Ltd is based Mr Pearson said he was amazed at the “buzz” and tourist facilities.
“No-one is saying that Pitlochry should model itself on Aviemore but it was great to see a place so thriving, with so many big-name retailers,” he said.
“In the current economic climate we need to encourage business and investment, while retaining historic and heritage sites.”
Mr Pearson added, “Seven members out of nine on the community council have had enough and are standing down. Nominations for replacements have been open for three weeks and the deadline has had to be extended to April 4 because there is little interest.
“We have been given a very hard time for no good reason. I have even had my ancestry questioned enough is enough.”
Upland Developments’ initial plans to redevelop the town centre were rejected by Perth and Kinross Council. Its amended designs, currently under consideration, include a community square overlooking the Moulin Burn, which would be accessible for pedestrians from Atholl Road.