Coffee bid causes a stir
Opponents fear scheme could hit existing Inchture businesses
Plans to create a new coffee shop and snack bar in Inchture are being opposed by some locals who claim it could prove calamitous for other established businesses in the area.
George Taylor, of local potato growing business Taypack Potatoes, applied for permission to convert a telephone exchange on Moncur Road and add a couple of extensions to create the new coffee shop back in March.
A design statement prepared by planning consultancy GD Planning on behalf of Mr Taylor explained he was keen to modify the building to “deliver visual improvement to the site, whilst also providing a new use which can enhance community facilities and provide local employment opportunity”.
The statement added Mr Taylor’s “key market” would mostly be “local residents, users of the core path network and recreational cyclists, including those using the National Cycle Route”.
However, six locals have now sent objections to Perth and Kinross Council asking staff to reject the scheme over concerns the proposal adds nothing “new” to the area and other businesses already serving food and drink will take a financial hit.
One objector has said of the proposal: “The village already has adequate facilities offering refreshment services via The Inchture Hotel and Spar shop with both offering a variety of hot and cold drinks and snacks.”
Another objector has told PKC: “This could be massively damaging to the small local businesses we already have in the village. We already have two/ three establishments alone that serve coffee/cakes/takeaway and offer outside seating... why could they not think of a more diverse option to bring to the village?”
A third has said: “The applicant says that the new development will create employment opportunities. My concern is that if the application is correct in its assumption that the customers will be local footfall, the loss of revenue to the existing businesses will actually mean a loss of jobs locally.”
Opponents to the scheme have also raised concerns about passing drivers parking next to the facility to order food or drink and creating needless obstructions for other motorists.
One said: “The space in which the application is being applied is directly opposite a school which already has a huge influx of traffic alongside lorry traffic from a nearby factory and excess traffic from [this] proposed application is a concern to me.”
The scheme has also received supportive comments, however. One person has told PKC: “Great that this building is being modernised. Happy to have a cafe/takeaway in the village and extremely happy it’s a local business that is looking to expand.”
Another said: “I think this is an excellent idea for the village - if a village like Invergowrie can cope with different eating options then I’m sure that Inchture can manage too.”
Inchture Community Council has now filed its own objection to the proposal being passed as it considers Mr Taylor ought to have consulted locals about options for the building before applying for planning permission to convert it.
The group has told PKC: “It is clear that there are a number of different views on the proposed development within the Inchture community.
“Whilst there is no doubt that development of what has become something of an eyesore is to be welcomed and the community council would undoubtedly support some form of development, exactly what that should involve is less clear.
“The community council believes that there should be a dialogue/consultation within the village on the form that any development should take with a range of solutions explored which ensure that there is no detrimental environmental impact on the surrounding area.
“Whilst having some benefits, the current application raises concerns about traffic impacts and also potentially additional litter in the surrounding area which could be avoided with other types of development.
“It is also unclear whether or not the current application fits with the adopted Local Development Plan.”
The application will now have to be determined by councillors as it has attracted more than six objections from locals.