Plans for the £1 million redevelopment of a Perthshire town centre have been unanimously approved by councillors, despite concerns raised by traders and residents in the area.
The works for Aberfeldy Square will mean the installation of new lighting, pavements and street furniture.
The application was given the green light by councillors at Wednesday’s planning and development management meeting.
The Perth and Kinross Council plans attracted more than 30 objections, with protesters raising fears about the resulting reduction in car parking spaces, the “shared space”-type design and the fact that the works are scheduled to take place over the busy summer period.
Planning officers fielded questions relating to all three issues before the motion was carried without objection.
SNP councillor Henry Anderson quizzed officials on the “shared space” element of the proposals, which will mean the area can be used by pedestrians and cars. It follows complaints about existing schemes in Kinross and Perth.
He asked: “Considering the reports that are coming through about schemes similar to this, has any consultation been done with disability groups as this seems to be causing great issue with blind people?”
Mr Anderson was assured that the necessary consultations had been carried out.
Richard Watters, SNP councillor for Kinross-shire, suggested waiting for reports on the shared space design in Kinross which has been criticised by disability groups.
Mr Watters said: “We already have a shared space in Kinross which is under review soon.
“Would it not have been better to wait until this review was carried out?”
He was told the Aberfeldy scheme had a different design and context so a comparison would not be relevant.
The new layout will also reduce parking in the area by a third, from 21 spaces to seven.
Planners argue that surveys have shown parking is currently running at 60% capacity within a five-minute walking radius of the town centre.
Conservative councillor Bob Brawn questioned the timescale of the works with traders in Aberfeldy fearing a loss of customers in the busy summer period.
Planning officers said winter conditions meant it was inevitable that the 22 week programme of works would impact on the summer months.
