Iron shed centre of demolition appeal
Villagers want old building gone and parking instead
Locals in Killin have appealed to the Scottish Government after being told a corrugated iron shed in the centre of the village was too historically valuable to knock down.
As reported in the Observer earlier this year, local charity the George Hogg Trust had submitted an application to demolish the storage shed at Morenish Place off Main Street, to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners.
However, the planners refused the bid saying it was of “special interest” and that the Killin Conservation Area Appraisal refers to ‘fine examples of corrugated iron buildings all centred on the sinuous Main Street’ - as a result of Breadalbane Estate’s interest in the manufacturing of the material - and further states that ‘the surviving examples are important both in the history of building material and in the development of Killin’.
The trust, however, has now appealed to the Scottish Government’s planning appeal division, the DPEA.
In their appeal submission the charity said: “The notion that the shed is of special interest and contributes positively to the character and appearance of the Killin Conservation Area is very doubtful, especially since the shed cannot be seen from the main street.
“It is not original since it has undergone some repairing over the last 20 years or so. The roof was replaced with modern plasticcoated tin. This means it is not a traditional corrugated iron structure.
“The existing structure has vermin problems with some of the timbers showing signs of decay. The ongoing maintenance is a concern for the Trust, since the money allocated to this would be better spent on the proposed new replacement sheds.
“The benefits to the wider community would be that up to six tenants’ cars would be able to safely park behind the building thus meaning the main street at this point would be free from these vehicles. This would make it safer for the flow of traffic through this part of the village. It would vastly improve the amenity and access for the tenants of the building.
“The installing of six electric charging points in the proposed car park area means that the Trust is mindful of the way forward in providing its tenants with future facilities for electric vehicles.
“The demolition of the existing building, to make space for car parking with new storage sheds being situated in a different part of the large garden ground, will help the Trust with its vision of moving forward in a progressive and modern way, without impacting on the Conservation Area.”
The DPEA have said the LLTNPA planning authority have been asked for their response and that the period for interested members of the public to make representation ends on June 4.
Morenish Place itself is a late 19th century building fronting onto the east side of Main Street and comprising two ground floor commercial units and four flats over the upper two floors.
The shed sits behind the building and provides ancillary storage for the properties of Morenish Place, and its removal was said to be required so that the ground could be reinstated as hardstanding.
In their decision, the Park planners had said: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the roofing material is non-original, the remainder of the building appears to be original, albeit painted.
“If it was considered to be incapable of repair then a structural report would be needed; or if considered essential to economic growth then a proposal of community interest would required to be submitted; or if not economically viable then evidence of marketing would be required. No such supporting case has been submitted by the applicant.
“Notwithstanding the lack of supporting information, it is considered that it may not be possible to meet these tests as the building appears, from external inspection, to be structurally sound and there is no obvious case for how its demolition would help support significant wider benefits to the economy or wider community.”