A proposed regeneration of Aberfeldy town centre could be delayed after a mix-up at the planning office.
Perth and Kinross Council has apologised for causing confusion, after failing to submit a planning application for the £1 million scheme.
The paperwork was only lodged on Tuesday, following a query about the project from The Courier.
The local authority said the timescale – which has scheduled work to begin in just six weeks – may now need to be adjusted.
Last week, cafe owner Mike Haggerton said five-months of construction during the town’s busy summer season could severely damage his business.
Although he was supportive of the changes proposed, Mr Haggerton said the current timescale created a “credible risk that we won’t be here next year”.
A council spokeswoman said: “Due to an unfortunate human error, the planning application for the Aberfeldy Square improvements was not formally submitted until Tuesday, April 23.
“We apologise for any confusion that may have arisen. Any adjustments required to the project schedule will be made accordingly.”
Locals will now get a chance to comment on the scheme, before a final decision is taken.
The council still needs to secure a contractor to carry out the work. The job went out to tender at the start of this month with a deadline of April 15, but no award has yet been made.
According to the contract brief, construction is due to start on June 10 and end around November 29.
The regeneration plan has been in the pipeline for more than five years. It was first discussed at a consultation meeting in October 2014, and further explored at a community charrette the following year.
The aim is to create a “sense of place” and make the heart of the town “less dominated by cars”.
Visitors will be encouraged to park at the town’s community campus instead, after a survey found “significant capacity” at the site.
The scheme involves a new pavilion and lighting columns that could provide power for markets and outdoor events.
During the work, farmers’ markets that are regularly held in the square will be shifted to the community campus site.
Explaining the proposed timeline, the council’s spokeswoman said: “The decision to undertake the works in the summer has been made to reduce the risk to the project from poor winter weather conditions, which could impact adversely on construction and result in significant maintenance going forward.”
She added: “We recognise there will be local disruption as a result, however progress must be made on delivering the project, which has been in the development for five-and-a-half years.”
