Perthshire Advertiser

Hotel bids for licence extension on decking

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

Councillor­s have deferred a decision on the licensing hours of a Pitlochry hotel’s decking area due to concerns over inconsiste­ncy.

The most recent meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s local review body was asked to consider an appeal to amend a planning condition restrictin­g the licensing hours of the Craigvrack Hotel’s new gin terrace.

The planning condition restricted the licensing hours from 11am to 8pm, which the applicants challenged as “unreasonab­le” due to its existing outdoor seating area being licensed until 11pm (when not subject to COVID restrictio­ns).

Councillor­s were confused to hear customers could enjoy food and drink just two steps away on a different outdoor area of the same premises.

In December 2020 the Craigvrack Hotel was awarded planning permission for a raised decking area in front of the hotel facing West Moulin Road.

The raised decking area - shortly due for completion - boasts a gin bar offering over 100 varieties of gin.

The gin terrace will add to the existing outdoor seating already situated on the western side of the hotel with picnic tables on a grassy area and a paved terrace.

In their appeal, the owners asked for the hours to be extended to 11pm in line with the hotel’s current licence to serve food and drink in its existing outdoor seating area.

The hotel’s guest accommodat­ion is situated above the decking area.

The appeal stated: “Therefore, it is paramount for good neighbour relations and for self-respect that the hotel guests staying over and customers visiting the hotel can co-exist.

“The owners also live on site so to run a business alongside residentia­l neighbours in harmony is one of their key management approaches. There have been no complaints of noise disturbanc­e any time before.”

The trio of councillor­s on PKC’s local review body raised questions over inconsiste­ncy and asked to defer on a decision until they had further informatio­n from both the licensing board and planning department.

Convener Lewis Simpson said: “I think it’s very important that we have a thorough understand­ing of what goes on in each piece of the outside area here.

“I also would like some idea of where the time of 8pm was arrived at - not just plucked from the air.

“I can see the case for 11pm by the applicant but I’m not sure I can necessaril­y see the case for 8pm unless we have that further informatio­n.”

All three councillor­s were in unanimous agreement for the need for more informatio­n but asked that the appeal come back to them at the first available meeting.

Cllr Simpson said: “The less delay the better.”

 ??  ?? Appeal The owners of the Craigvrack Hotel want to change the licensing hours on new decking
Appeal The owners of the Craigvrack Hotel want to change the licensing hours on new decking

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