Approval granted for controversial dairy

A Crieff dairy, which earned its managing director the congratulations of Sir Alec Douglas Home at its official opening, is the centre of a planning controversy.

The County Planning Committee will meet to decide whether to grant retrospectively planning permission for the Strathearn Dairy’s new premises at Addisson Terrace.

When in May, Sir Alec officially opened the milk pasteurising and bottling plant, he told Mr Andrew McCartney, managing director of the company, that he was “very pleased to see this example of enterprise.”

However, it was not the kind of thing the local Planning Authority wanted to see, for no planning permission had been sought for the development by the architect as the premises had already been used as a dairy, and there was, in his opinion, no change of use.

Red tape appeared to be satisfied when a Dean of Guild Court warrant for the demolition of the old building and erection of the new premises was successfully applied for.

Indeed, red tape appeared to continue to be satisfied until the authorities discovered no application for formal permission had been made.

At last month’s meeting of Crieff Town Council, the Planning Officer invited the Council to express its views on the matter.

The Council, in secret session, agreed to recommend planning permission in retrospect be granted.