Events venue proposal gets the go ahead from council

Councillors have unanimously approved plans to allow a former hotel in Auchterarder to become an events venue.

But concern was expressed about the “piecemeal fashion”in which councillors have been asked to consider the development.

One councillor said a noise impact assessment which included a building not in the application before them had“muddied the waters.”

An application for Auchterarder House to be used as an exclusive rental property for small groups or people hiring for events was put before PKC’s planning and development management committee on March 9.

Two further applications to convert or alter the stables to form an events venue will be brought before councillors at a later date.

The plans were submitted by Denholm Partnership Architects on behalf of applicant RobertWiseman.

The report of handling referred to a noise impact assessment which looked at predicted noise levels at noise sensitive properties from amplified music associated to both Auchterarder House and the stables venue.

Following on from questions raised by other councillors regarding the stables venue, Strathallan Conservative councillor Crawford Reid said the fact a conjoined noise impact assessment had been done for both venues had caused confusion locally.

Dr Reid said:“I do not think any of the residents who have objected or who have come to me have any objection to the application that’s in front of us today.

“What they are very confused and concerned about is the fact it’s all been mixed in together in the noise impact assessment.”

He said the fact the noise impact assessment included the stable building had“muddied the waters”in this application.

Planning officer

Kristian Smith explained Auchterarder House can operate for 30 days in a year, taking into account the noise assessment that covers both venues.

But he said if the applicant wished to review that and have Auchterarder House as a stand-alone venue they would need to undertake a separate noise assessment.

The B-listed 10-bedroomed former hotel sits in extensive grounds just over a mile north-east of Auchterarder.

Likely events to be held there would include weddings, birthday celebrations and small conferences.

The noise assessment found mitigation measures would be required for the stables venue but were not required for the Auchterarder House application.

The report presented to councillors proposed that noise from guests arriving, moving about the venue areas and leaving the venue be controlled through a noise management condition.

Conservative councillor Ian James moved the plans for approval.

He said:“We are looking at the one property in front of us for 30 days. It was formerly a hotel.

“I don’t think there’s an issue because if the stables - which people seem to be going down the rabbit hole with comes to us we’ll look at that again anyway.”

Conservative councillor Chris Ahern seconded saying he had no issues.

The plans were unanimously approved.

After the plans were approved Lib Dem councillor Lewis Simpson added:“I think it’s been demonstrated today how unfortunate it is that this has arrived to us in a piecemeal fashion.

“It certainly would be much better in future if we either got the whole idea in one go or we very clearly separated items when they come because I am concerned this stores up confusion for the future rather than making things as clear as they should be.”