Community leaders will object to plans for the regeneration of Kinross despite working towards such a goal for the best part of two decades.
They fear Perth and Kinross Council’s plans will be disastrous for the town, hitting businesses and tourism and putting residents’ safety at risk.
The Kinross-shire Civic Trust told The Courier it has “no confidence” the scheme proposed for the town centre will work.
Although a series of public exhibitions was held, it accused the local authority of failing to adequately consult over the details of the wide-ranging plan.
The ambitious Kinross Public Realm Improvements project looks to address long-standing issues such as car parking provision and how to improve safety on High Street.
It is also exploring the creation of a “town square” and other means of making the town a more attractive visitor destination.
Perth and Kinross Council said it has consulted extensively with the community and would consider comments made, alongside the plans, at a meeting in January.
Trust secretary Eileen Thomas, however, said: “KCT is of the view that the proposed public realm works do not meet the needs of businesses, tourists and the wider community.” She called on the council to reject the plans “in their current form” and urged planners to make “radical amendments”.
The trust has submitted an official objection to the council, detailing a series of “very serious” concerns.
Ms Thomas said: “KCT has been keen to be involved in plans to improve Kinross town centre since the publication of Perth and Kinross Council’s Kinross Strategy of 1995.
“Representatives from the trust attended committee meetings held at the outset of the formation of the current plans for the Kinross town centre environmental improvements.
“However, direct consultation with KCT appeared to cease around the time of a failed Heritage Lottery funding bid.
“We would welcome sensitive and appropriate environmental improvements and some traffic-calming measures in Kinross town centre. It is imperative, however, that any such ‘improvement’ scheme is fully workable and allows sustainability of the town centre businesses.
“Unfortunately, we have no confidence that the scheme as currently proposed is at all practicable.
“We are concerned it will not benefit the town and are of the view that there has been inadequate consultation and justification for the proposals.”
In the trust’s letter of objection, Ms Thomas said businesses were concerned that proposals designed to discourage vehicles from driving along High Street would lead to a reduction in passing trade, undermining retailers and potentially leading to their closure.
While an overhaul of parking will lead to a net increase in town centre parking, the letter of objection warns that there will be a loss of “convenient” High Street spaces.
The town square plan, meanwhile, is described as “seriously flawed” as it will be formed to either side of High Street, with bus stops removed and pavements lowered.
The road will remain, however, leading to claims that pedestrians children, the elderly and the infirm in particular could be endangered. Finally, with the majority of work to be carried out during the spring and summer months, the trust fears the disruption will adversely affect both tourism and regular local usage of High Street during what should be its busiest time.
A council spokesperson said: “Perth and Kinross Council can confirm the end of the consultation process is January 9 and the proposals will be considered by committee on January 14, as will any objections from members of the public to the plans.
“In terms of consultation, displays and plans were exhibited to the public in September 2012, December 2013 and November 2014.
“Regular updates were provided to local community representatives between July and November 2014.”