Villagers seething over hotel ‘eyesore’

GlenfarG: People are angry that no work has yet taken place after flats plan was given go-ahead

Residents of a Perthshire village say they have been left with a feeling of “acute injustice” after claiming an empty hotel has been left mouldering and is an “eyesore” blighting their community.

Members of Glenfarg Community Company are angered that no work has taken place to build 12 flats at the site of the Glenfarg Hotel, a year after Perth and Kinross Council’s local review body controversially approved plans to convert the building by a narrow two votes to one.

This left many villagers seething as the local authority had previously refused the plans, which were submitted by Arngask Hotels Ltd.

The residents’ ire was raised as council chiefs had initially rejected the proposal, stating it was contrary to the council’s local development plan as well as being contrary to the Scottish Government’s planning policy.

However, Arngask Hotels Ltd appealed this decision which resulted in Perth and Kinross Council’s local review body meeting and then agreeing to overturn the planning officer’s recommendation to knock back the appeal.

Prior to this John Hewitt decided to close the hotel’s doors in November 2015, stating he was making “heavy” financial losses, while also claiming he and his family were the victims of a “malicious” social media campaign instigated by some villagers.

Glenfarg Community Company had considered legal action against Perth and Kinross Council following the local review body’s decision, but decided not to pursue this due to the cost involved.

However, Steve Whiting, a member of the group and a former owner of the Glenfarg Hotel, claims the building has been allowed to fall into disrepair and is aghast that no work has begun on converting it into flats.

“There remains an overall feeling of acute injustice within the village as to just how such a chain of events has been allowed to befall Glenfarg,” he said.

“Particularly galling for villagers is the key argument put forward at the time by the owner and Councillor Joe Giacopazzi, who sat on the local review body, that the decision was made to ensure the hotel didn’t lie empty and fall into disrepair, thus becoming an eyesore to the village.

“This, of course, is exactly what is now happening. There is absolutely no sign of work commencing, which comes as no surprise to the village.”

Councillor Giacopazzi said the local review body’s decision was made on the “understanding” of planning law and practice.

“One thing you can’t do is to guarantee what will be subsequently be built after the decision,” he said.

“The decision gave a second option and if the Glenfarg Community Company wants to buy the building they will need to take that up with the owner.”

Mr Hewitt said he had “no comment” to make on the matter.

There remains an overall feeling of acute injustice within the village as to just how such a chain of events has been allowed to befall Glenfarg. STEVE WHITING

Glenfarg residents are unhappy that the village hotel has been left to fall into disrepair.