Church says flats bid must be cast out
Plans are not in keeping with the buildings nearby
Church leaders have lodged an objection to a planned development in Pitlochry.
Pitlochry Church of Scotland says a block of flats a developer wants to build in Bonnethill Road opposite the place of worship would not be in keeping with other buildings nearby and should be rejected by council planners.
Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council has also sent a similar objection to planning staff saying the proposed three storey block would become a “dominant and discordant presence” in the town’s conservation area.
The applicant’s agent has stated in a submission the block does “take inspiration from existing dwellings” in the area and will be built using materials he reckons will “compliment the listed building to the south [the church] and surrounding built environment.”
But the church has told PKC: “We object to the planned height and appearance [of ] the flatted development. It is not in keeping with other residential properties on Bonnethill Road.
“The property should be restricted to two storeys thus providing a more acceptable appearance and allow a roof pitch which would be more in keeping with the area.”
And Andrew Holmes, secretary for Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council, has told PKC: “The proposed development is at the heart of the Pitlochry Conservation Area and is directly opposite the Church of Scotland, the iconic building of that conservation
Leaders at Pitlochry Church of Scotland are against the plan area.
“With this location it is essential that it matches the character of the town. The conservation area appraisal refers to the negative impact of ‘developments inserted into townscape gaps with little regard for contextual design’.
“This is a classic example of that and conservation area policies are designed to require developments to conform to policies which preserve the character of the area.
“The development is out of scale and out of character with the surrounding buildings. It is one storey too high, the external finishes have no local context, comprising harling and the use of an artificial sandstone with no Scottish relevance, let alone a Pitlochry context.
“This would make the building the dominant and discordant presence on this local area.
“To approve this development is to negate the whole principle of the conservation area.”
The same application attracted three further objections from locals during a public consultation - two from couples and one from an invividual -and is now awaiting a decision from PKC.