A garden supply shop in Blairgowrie is going to be turned into four flats.
A planning application was lodged with Perth and Kinross Council to renovate the former Scott’s Garden and Pet Centre on Reform Street, which is still open but scheduled for closure.
Attempts were made by the previous owner to rent it out for retail purposes but these were unsuccessful.
The building was then sold to David Brash and Sandy Sarwar who made the planning application.
A previous application for the site, submitted last March, was withdrawn and two new proposals lodged a few months later, one for change of use and one for demolition of two rear buildings.
As part of the work, the two existing storage buildings at the back will be demolished and one replaced with a new extension. It will house two of the flats.
The existing shop building will be converted into the other two flats.
The allotment ground at the rear of the shop is not included in either application.
Drawings show all of the flats will be one bedroom, with an open plan living room/kitchen area and bathroom.
Bicycle storage and a communal area will also be included.
Entrance to the flats will be through a currently unused door at the side of the building.
Both planning applications were approved at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s planning department on March 22.
Some nearby residents raised concerns on privacy from the flats overlooking neighbouring properties, lack of parking and lack of space in the area for both the development and the people it will bring.
Concerns raised by residents
Mr Brash and his agent Ian MacGregor responded saying that concerns on overlooking were discussed at length with planning officers and alterations made from the previous application.
Councillor Ian James said the application should be rejected on the lack of parking available in the area, a view echoed by Councillor Claire McLaren.
He added that his preference would be for a smaller project with parking facilities included.
However Ian was told by planning officials: “Not everyone who is looking for a small property is needing a parking space, for example for a small car.
“Within walking distance there is excellent shops and facilities.”
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