”Calm heads” are required to ensure Pitlochry town centre is safeguarded for the future, according to the chairman of the local community council.
Days before the deadline for objections against proposals to build on Atholl Road, Andrew Holmes urged residents to consider the town’s present and future needs.
Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council is gathering submissions on the application by Upland Developments to create a budget hotel and supermarket on land occupied by the former Bank House and Greggs bakery a conservation site.
Since 2009 the Aviemore firm has submitted a number of blueprints to planners, sparking outrage locally.
Some of the most outspoken objectors have formed Pitlochry Conservation Society (PCS), which commissioned alternative architects’ drawings outlining how the shopping streets could look.
Mr Holmes found the scale of Upland’s proposed development which would include a 52-bedroom hotel ”excessive”.
However he does not fully accept PCS’ assertions that the majority of the community wish Bank House to be retained.
Mr Holmes said: ”Currently there is a very large hole in the form of the derelict Bank House, it is not contributing to the economy and is an eyesore in its present state that cannot be denied.
”Both myself and the community council are open to a number of options.
”We want to ensure everyone has their voice heard not just those who shout the loudest. It is a time for calm heads.”‘A balanced view’He added: ”It will not be our views that we put forward but the views of the community a balanced view.
”And then it is the role of Perth and Kinross Council to look at what is in front of them and make a decision.”
The former civil engineer said he was keen to achieve ”sustainability” without losing the ”heartbeat” of the town.
Mr Holmes said: ”I want to see a prosperous Pitlochry, which will continue to serve both its residents and visitors well over the years.”
He put himself forward for the position after the resignation of the previous community council over alleged heated disputes with PCS.
There were worries that the organisation would be lost forever when it went into temporary abeyance. Despite much publicity, too few people put their names forward for selection.
However a quorum was produced last autumn and, after the appointment of an additional member, the group started working in an official capacity before Christmas.
Keen to build a relationship with PCS, chaired by Jim Tyrrell, Mr Holmes requested that both organisations share the floor at a recent meeting about the town centre issue but this was rejected.’It is important we work together’Mr Holmes said: ”We offered to be in attendance, to share the meeting, but they [PCS] declined.
”It is important we work together.”
He added that the community council had put up copies of the planning application in shop windows and is still welcoming responses.
Almost 250 people gathered in the town hall for the PCS meeting on March 20 to discuss the latest plans.
At the time Mr Tyrrell who is campaigning to keep Bank House said: ”How many times do they the concerned people of Pitlochry have to tell Upland that they do not want this overdevelopment?
”This massive building is still too large for the site, has little to offer in architectural innovation, and will still dominate and totally degrade the tourist attractiveness of Pitlochry town centre.”
He added that the ”majority” of those in attendance had voted against it.
The new designs include a town square, suggested when PCS worked with Glasgow School of Art graduates.
However Mr Tyrrell labelled this a ”token low-cost acceptance”.
Wednesday is the deadline for submissions to the local authority.