Upgrade plan wins praise

Blairgowrie Tennis Club has gained permission to build a new clubhouse for members next to its newly-developed tennis courts.

A new car park also looks set to be created at the JJ Coupar Recreation Park site after PKC planners approved the scheme using delegated powers.

Under the plans, which were approved last week, a terraced area over-looking the courts will also be created with 1.8-metre high fences as well as steps and a disabled ramp.

Appraising the application PKC case officer Sean Panton stated in his report of handling: “The clubhouse will measure approximately 20 metres at maximum length and 11.5 metres at maximum width.

“The clubhouse will accommodate a 64 square-metre clubroom, a committee/function room, a kitchen area, male and female changing rooms with toilets and showers, a disabled toilet changing room, an equipment store and a plant room.

“The main entrance consists of double doors and a covered entrance area and is located on the north-west elevation. This elevation also hosts four small changing room windows.

“The main elevation which faces the tennis courts will comprise of three windows, a set of double doors and a large bi-folding door which measures approximately 5.5 metres in length and two metres in height.”

Addressing concerns raised about the proposal in representations Mr Panton said conditions had been added to the consent to control the level of noise that could be generated at the clubhouse as well as the volume of music that could be played during functions.

He summed up: “The economic impact of the proposal is likely to contribute positively to the Blairgowrie and surrounding area by increasing the provision of sports club facilities.

“This will encourage more people to visit the town to utilise these facilities and thus will have a positive impact upon local shops and services.

“It will also likely encourage people to utilise the new tennis facilities having a positive impact upon sports development in the area.”