Claims that a new indoor sports centre in Crieff would be a “large blot on the landscape” failed to convince councillors who unanimously backed the plan.
Douglas Gorrie, who lives near to the site, argued that the proposal by Morrison’s Academy would be of little wider benefit to the community.
The private school had applied to build the sports complex which would include a games hall, swimming pool and dance studio on their Dallerie sports pitches. This would free up space on their town centre site to further develop the school.
It had been promised that the complex could be used by the community and visitors outwith school hours and during holidays, a meeting of the development control committee heard on Wednesday.
This argument failed to win over Mr Gorrie who told the meeting: “This development will not benefit the residents of Crieff or the tourist trade on which Crieff businesses are dependent upon.
“Due to the restricted hours of use to the public to the swimming pool it will be of little interest to the residents and tourists to Crieff.
“Crieff is a town that depends on the day visitors and tourist trade with a main attraction being the McCrosty Park which will overlook this development which could resemble an industrial estate which could deter visitors to Crieff.
“This will be a large blot on the landscape which the area could do without as Crieff is already suffering from unwanted decline in business in the area, and this development will not bring trade to the town as it will only benefit the pupils of a private school.”
Architect Neil Simpson who is the school’s agent on the application said the application was only to establish the principle of the plan and the design still had to be agreed upon but they would not wish to create a “blot on the landscape”.
Councillor John Kellas said that the school provided a great deal of employment in Crieff and the fact that they wished to invest should be welcomed.
Councillor Ian Campbell said he thought the application would benefit the town and moved approval which was unanimously endorsed.
