Community hub plans for former NHS site given the thumbs up

Plans to turn a former medical centre into a community hub have been given the green light by planning officials.

The Strathmore Community Hub will be based at the old health centre on Traders Lane, Coupar Angus, and will be home to a new café, arts and crafts centres and a Men’s Shed.

The building will be fitted with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and the group behind the project also hope to install two electric car charging points to make it more eco-friendly.

The former NHS building was taken over in June by Coupar Angus residents who formed the Strathmore Community Hub group, after three years of negotiations.

Planning officers at Perth and Kinross Council have now approved the plans, subject to conditions, such as the installation of ventilation system to mitigate against cooking smells from the facility.

In a report they said: “The proposal will be an overall improvement in the visual appearance of the building and will bring it back into use, which is welcomed.

“The economic impact of the proposal will be in the wider community benefits of the facility.”

Keith Langelaan, vicechairman of the Strathmore Community Hub, said: “The plans are supported around the area and we’ve had a lot of enthusiasm.

“We’ve not had one dissenter. It has been greeted with open arms and as something that will be good for Coupar Angus.

“We’re hoping to have it completed by July but there are a lot of things to be done.

“The hub will combat social isolation and promote social inclusion.”