A Fife wedding venue has been accused of “steamrollering” the wishes of local residents.
Carphin House in Luthrie is at the centre of a row over its wedding business, having had an application to create a permanent events building in the grounds thrown out by councillors earlier this year.
Owners Ian and Ruth Macallan appealed against the decision and the matter is now in the hands of a Scottish Government reporter, with a decision expected this week.
In the meantime, Carphin House has been erecting temporary teepees and has applied for a certificate of lawfulness to use the grounds for weddings for up to 28 days in the year.
Nearby residents have raised concerns about unacceptable noise disturbance from the site, distress being caused to livestock in neighbouring fields and road safety issues.
During a wedding held at Carphin House on August 4, a neighbour contacted police about the noise from the venue.
Police Scotland said on attendance “no further police action was required”.
A spokeswoman for the force added: “We continue to liaise with partners surrounding this matter.”
But conservative councillor Tony Miklinski described the situation as “scandalous”.
He said: “They are steamrollering over the wishes of the local community by continuing their business regardless of the impact.
“What they are doing is not illegal. They are using their knowledge of the law to exploit every loophole.
“It is deeply unfair that the law allows people to do this while residents are suffering.”
Mr Macallan said five “big” weddings had been booked for the remainder of this year and they would not be affected by the ongoing row.
He said, if approved by the government reporter, the addition of the permanent events space, to accommodate up to 180 guests, would allow Carphin House to hold up to 40 weddings a year.
There are currently five weddings booked for next year. Mr Macallan said there would be more smaller events if the appeal is unsuccessful.
“If we don’t get planning permission for the venue, we will have to stay within the 28 rule and obviously have to take the teepees up and down,” he said.
“There’s a massive market so we will definitely continue as best we can.”
