Work begins on former school

Work has started on converting a former Perthshire school into residential accommodation.

Crieff-based developers Corryard has begun work at the site of Hill Primary School in Blairgowrie.

Planning permission for the development was passed by Perth and Kinross Council in the summer. Historic Environment Scotland has also given its approval.

Once completed, the Blair Hill project will feature a total of 17 apartments, along with one new-build house. Corryard expects to have finished the first phase of the development by next summer.

The second phase, which will involve the conversion of the original Victorian building in the town’s Upper Allan Street, will take another six months to complete.

Each apartment will have two private car parking spaces and also a secure storage area.

John Burke, managing director of Corryard, said the company was aiming to launch the sale of the homes in the New Year.

Corryard was appointed the preferred bidder by the council and held consultations with local residents last August. The company had originally planned to build 28 apartments but downsized the plans to 18 larger properties.

Initially, the Ericht Trust had proposed to develop a cinema, heritage and print museum, arts and crafts studio, play centre and café at the site but the housing plan was preferred.