A high-profile eyesore that blights one of the gateway routes into Perth and Kinross could be demolished in time for the Ryder Cup.
Hopes are high that the derelict Lomond Hotel in Glenfarg will be razed to the ground before September, when the district will welcome a massive influx of visitors from around the world.
Visible from the M90, a possible solution to the long-running saga of the prominent blot on the landscape has been welcomed by the people of the picturesque village.
At a packed public meeting in the village hall, the latest proposals for the site were unveiled by the Glenfarg Partnership.
Although refused by the council, it already has planning permission for a 14-flat development over four floors and a parking area for 16 cars below ground level, which was granted at appeal. However, the recession intervened and the plans failed to materialise and an amended proposal is now being put forward.
David Craigie of the Glenfarg Partnership said he felt the latest plans had been well-received by those attending the meeting.
“It is less dense and a better design,” said Mr Craigie, describing the hotel as “derelict and ugly”.
“There are 12 flats that are slightly bigger and more geared to the pre-retirement market 45 and upwards who want to stay in the area.”
Mr Craigie said his colleagues had been negotiating with Perth and Kinross Council and he hopes the amendments would meet their approval.
“As soon as we get these issues resolved, we will apply to knock it down,” he said. “We would like to get the site cleared.”
Councillor Willie Robertson, who attended the meeting, said he was hopeful that an end may be in sight for a problem that stretches back almost a decade. People are generally very pleased that something is going on,” he said.
“The main issue is how long it will take to demolish the monstrosity that is there.
“The community council and the people of Glenfarg work really hard to improve the village with things like the bloom committee.
“It has been bad news for businesses and bad news for people living there and I think it was made clear that people are really desperate to see something done.”
Mr Robertson said he would be delighted if the building was removed before the eyes of the world are focused on Perthshire during the Ryder Cup. He said new hoardings are scheduled to go up, which would screen the site more fully until it is demolished.