End of line for hotel ‘neglected’ by owners

PLANNING: Fears as developer is given permission to demolish former hotel in conservation area

Approval for the demolition of a Kinrossshire hotel has sparked fears developers have been given the green light to let historic buildings fall into ruin for their own gain.

Perth and Kinross councillors agreed at a planning and development meeting yesterday to allow the former Lomond Country Inn at Kinnesswood to be demolished and a residential property built in its place.

The former hotel, located in a conservation area, was purchased in 2013 and a planning application was approved three years later for the part demolition of the building, which would be converted into a residential home, the demolition of outbuildings and the construction of four houses.

However, no work was ever carried out on the former hotel, which has since fallen into a state of neglect.

Councillor Michael Barnacle quizzed Roy Mitchell, speaking on behalf of developers Lime Blue Designed Build, about why there had been no attempts to save the original building.

Councillor Barnacle said: “In October 2016 this committee approved part demolition of the hotel and also the construction of four houses that was against the wishes of the four elected members (for Kinross-shire) at the time – and a considerable part of the community.

“Why has it taken you since then to come forward with this next proposal?”

He added: “I appreciate that where we are now the demolition should be approved, but I would like to make a comment, because it has been put to me by the community, that should we approve the application it gives a green light for any developer to purchase these old buildings, let time pass and then replace them with new-builds.”

Mr Mitchell said it was only after obtaining permission in 2016 that the developer realised the building was “structurally and economically unviable”.

He added: “Unfortunately after we obtained our permission we had to look at how, from a demolition process, to take down part of the exterior structure and then when we were looking at the structure as a whole it was unsafe.”

Kinross-shire Civic Trust, which objected to the demolition of the building and application for a newbuild property, expressed its concern, saying: “The existing original building is prominent within the conservation area.

“An opportunity to restore this neglected property was an option, and we understand a committed developer could have achieved this more satisfactory outcome. However, once again, a key building of character will be lost to this community and in our opinion the replacement which has been approved will do nothing to enhance the character of the conservation area.”

An opportunity to restore this neglected property was an option and we understand a committed developer could have achieved this more satisfactory outcome. KINROSS-SHIRE CIVIC TRUST

An agent for the developers, Lime Blue Designed Build, was asked why they did not act to save the Lomond Country Inn in Kinnesswood when they received planning permission in 2016.