Controversial plans to demolish a Kinross hotel to make way for a retirement village have been recommended for approval, despite a backlash from town residents.
Developers want to bulldoze the Windlestrae Hotel on Muirs Road for a new 41-property development, made up of 33 retirement houses, eight flats and a communal club lounge.
Perth and Kinross Council planning officers want to approve the project, despite 22 objections being lodged including from the Kinross Community Council and Kinross-shire Civic Trust.
Only four comments have been filed in support of the project.
Fears have also been raised about the impact of a retirement village on the town’s GP practice, which has been under increased strain since the closure of the surgery in Bridge of Earn.
Major concerns have also been raised that the proposal by Juniper Residential will impact on the town’s Market Square which sits within a conservation area.
The development will oversee the felling of more than 50 mature trees including the removal of a mature sycamore tree on the north west of Market Park that has a British Standard Category A rating.
Dave Cuthbert, speaking on behalf of Kinross Community Council, said: “We are concerned at the impact this proposal will have on the Kinross Conservation Area.
“We understand that amending the junction with the Muirs, will entail the removal of at least one mature tree in the conservation area.
“We are strongly against the removal of trees in the conservation area and would like to see a visual impact assessment on the removal of trees.”
The community council also claim that the local GP practice have made representations to them that they are already struggling without the addition of the new retirement village.
Mr Cuthbert said: “Health services within the area are under extreme pressure following the closure of the Bridge of Earn surgery.
“In addition to this, developments of this sort bring with them a heavy increase in demand for health services.
“We therefore oppose this application until this issue has been resolved.”
In March, developer McCarthy and Stone abandoned its £4 million plan to clear the 55-acre site to make way for 30 specialised homes, which it had claimed would help cope with the area’s increasing older population.
The application will go before councillors for a decision on Wednesday January 15.
