Residents of a Invergowrie face losing their only car park to make way for new housing.
Perth and Kinross Council plans to build an assisted living complex in the centre of the villagee, taking away the car park residents of Main Street have used for decades.
The four new homes, which will be given to people with additional support needs, will have parking but just eight spaces are to be allocated to the flats already in the street.
Dave Edmonds, 70, has lived in the flats for 46 years with his wife Hilda and said the car park was created for residents’ use, which the council disputes.
“I’m not against the complex itself, I think that is a great idea,” he said.
“But it can’t go ahead as it is proposed because it will leave us in a real bind. All of the people who usually park there will have to go elsewhere and that just moves the problem somewhere else, it is going to be a free for all and a total nightmare.”
Mr Edmond said all of the free on-street parking is already full and he may be forced to park half a mile away from his home.
He also pointed out that much of the on-street parking in the centre of the village has been limited to 30 minutes so businesses will suffer.
“The car park is supposed to be for residents but we have been happy to share it with customers and staff of local businesses,” he said.
“Half an hour is not long enough to go in to the hairdresser or to the café for lunch so if people can’t use the car park where will they go?
“The local businesses will lose customers and their staff will have nowhere to park.
“We want the council to compromise somehow but what that will be I don’t know.”
The land is already owned by the council and planning permission was not required but Carse of Gowrie councillor Beth Pover and Perthshire North MSP John Swinney are calling on the council to provide alternative parking for the residents.
Mr Pover said: “As a council, we need to consider this and seriously look at what we can do to help the affected residents.
“People have been very supportive of the idea which is great, the only concern is making sure the parking availability continues so we need to find a solution the residents are happy with.”
A petition asking for the car park to be retained has been signed by more than 140 people.
Mr Swinney said: “Whilst I am very supportive of the overall housing development and believe that it will provide a service of significant importance, I recognise that this will lead to further strain on Invergowrie’s parking infrastructure.
“It is therefore crucial that the views of local residents and businesses are acknowledged. I am hopeful that through constructive dialogue, a solution can be reached which will be to the benefit of all parties.”
A council spokeswoman said parking provision has been “maximised” in plans for the development.
“Perth and Kinross Council is to build new housing on this land which will provide four units of specialist accommodation for people with care and support needs,” she said.
“The residents will be supported by professional staff on-site 24 hours a day.
“We carried out a consultation with the local community about these proposals to seek their views. “Parking was raised as an issue by several people during the consultation and in response to this we have adjusted proposals and maximised provision for on-site resident parking in the final plans.”
