Developers in Kinross who demolished a building in a conservation area without approval have been forced to reapply for planning permission for the entire project.
On June 4, Kirklands Development Group bulldozed the former manse on the Kirkland’s Garage site on the High Street without planning permission, leading Perth and Kinross Council to suspend the project before halting it indefinitely on July 5.
The developers had originally been given planning permission in 2018 for the part-demolition of the site, and the erection of two houses and four flats.
However, due to the full demolition they were told by Perth and Kinross Council that the previous approval was no longer in place and they would have to reapply.
The new application is for the complete demolition of buildings, erection of two houses and four flats.
As part of the bid, the company would have rebuild the facade.
Kirklands Development Group also has a second application awaiting a decision for the retrospective demolition of the facade. It currently has seven objections against it.
Martin Smith, of Kirklands Development Group, said the new application showed his company’s desire to rebuild the demolished manse and he hopes both cases will be heard simultaneously.
Mr Smith said: “We got an application approved but obviously it stated that the facade would remain but now that can’t be the case. So we have to submit a new application to show what the new facade will be.
“It’s so people can see we’re rebuilding it and it formalises what we have always said – that we would rebuild the facade.”
The developer said his company had already sourced new stone to rebuild the demolished building in a way that will add to the amenity of the conservation area.
Mr Smith said: “Hopefully it will keep them happy. That’s what we want to do and that’s what we hope to do.
“We want to get started this side of Christmas.”
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “The approved permission proposed to retain parts of the building.
“However as the building has since been, in its entirety demolished, that permission cannot in effect be implemented  – hence the new application, which shall be considered on its merits.”
