Plans for a new Blairgowrie arts venue have been approved.
The conversion of the Laird’s House store on Lower Mill Street was backed by councillors, despite objections from nearby residents.
Roy Sim Properties applied to transform the former shop into a function venue similar to the Birnam Arts Centre.
However, planners received 19 objections from people at Ericht Court. They were worried that the new venue will be too noisy and could cause traffic problems.
Addressing members of the development management committee, developer Greg Sim said there had been a misunderstanding about the proposal. “It’s not going to be a late-night disco,” he said.
Mr Sim said the Laird’s House was forced to close as a shop last year, after running at a loss of around £500,000. The workforce of 25 were made redundant.
He added that local organisations including Growbiz and the Bookmark Festival had already expressed an interest in hosting events at the site.
The hall could also be used for conferences and cinema evenings.
Mr Sim said that the revived 120-capacity venue which has a 1am licence would further support neighbouring businesses and fit in with the company’s pending plans for a boutique hotel at the nearby Old Granary.
He stressed that safeguard measures would be put in place to control volume.
“This will create significant employment opportunities and bring footfall to the town,” he added.
The committee backed the plan after hearing that there had been no formal complaints about noise or anti-social behaviour at a nearby JD Wetherspoon pub, which opened more than a year ago.
In his report to the group, development quality manager Nick Brian said: “I consider that due to the mix of uses in the area and the presence of hotels and pubs in close vicinity, a function venue could be operated without detrimentally impacting residential amenity, subject to the restrictions imposed through conditions.”
The Laird’s House which was granted consent to be used as a shop in 2002 was taken over by Roy Sim Properties in the mid-1980s.