HES bid to protect old village rail station
Perthshire residents have been given more time to have their say on whether a former village railway station should be given protected status.
Heritage watchdog Historic Environment Scotland (HES) previously set a January 22 cut-off point in relation to its Greenloaning Station survey.
But it was revealed last week the deadline has been pushed back until February 26.
HES believes the former transport hub and station house merit becoming a category C-listed building.
Locals, including members of Braco and Greenloaning Community Council, are keen for this to be the case as the designation would help preserve a prominent piece of the area’s heritage.
Fears have also been expressed that Network Rail, which purchased the site in 2019, may have the land in its sights for an alternative use which could see the building knocked down.
It was built in 1848 for the Scottish Central Railway and is believed to be one of the last such buildings of its size and design left in Scotland.
Adrian Pryor, chair of Braco and Greenloaning Community Council, said group members were keen for as many people to have their say as possible.
He also said it was understood Network Rail had asked for an extension to the deadline, sparking concerns it was preparing to lodge an objection to any potential category C listing.
Mr Pryor said: “We are assuming Network Rail has asked for more time because they wish to object to the proposed listing of the building and want to make a representation.
“This is the second time the deadline has been extended and the community council has already put our representation in. This has been on the cards for a while.
“But we’re still very keen to support the listing of the building and the retention of it for a future alternative use.
“It’s important to get the point across that it’s one of the last buildings of its kind in the country.
“We’d encourage anyone with any interest in the building to make their own representation to Historic Environment Scotland.”
Network Rail has previously said there are currently no plans to demolish the building.
Greenloaning Station was closed in 1956, along with many of the intermediary stations on the route.
The consultation can be viewed and signed at http:// portal.historicenvironment.scot/ decision/500002768