Work to convert a former east Perthshire hotel into two flats has been slammed by a resident.
Michael Gallagher believes the project to build the properties at what was once the Royal Hotel in Coupar Angus is “appalling” and will not produce a much- needed increase in footfall in the town.
He told The Courier that the original plan was to convert the ground floor of the building into a bar/bistro but this fell by the wayside.
Now work has started to develop two flats, which he claims will add to the loss of commercial property in the town.
Mr Gallagher is angered at this move as he feels town centres are the “commercialheart” and that turning this building into flats will result in a decrease in visitors to Coupar Angus.
“The additional footfall would give a real boost to neighbouring shops and help to keep the town centre viable as a commercial hub in the long term,” he said.
“Visitors do not want to come to look at flats the same thing happened when the Co-operative was converted into flats.”
He continued: “The Townscape Heritage Initiative was given £880,000 to do up town centres and make them look more presentable. However, they are more concerned with what buildings look like and the state they are in rather then what they are being used for.
Mr Gallagher went on: “This is public money and people expect the funds to be spent wisely, but it’s not being spent wisely.”
He feels the local politicians could have “fought more” for the site to be used for shops or offices.
“Councillor Alan Grant set up the Coupar Angus Regeneration Trust (CART) and part of this was the Townscape Heritage Initiative. I feel this was very sensible on his part and he was in charge of CART.
“However, the initiative is run nationally and stipulates what has to be done. The Townscape Heritage Initiative should make sure that commercial buildings are retained.
“It’s a shame as the town centre has been tidied up and we have businesses wanting to come to Coupar Angus but they can’t find any commercial premises.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said that investment in the centre of Coupar Angus has been a “significant priority” over a number of years, linked to the number of vacant units that had fallen into severe disrepair.
“Grant assistance of £1.6 million from the Townscape Heritage Initiative, conservation area regeneration scheme and town centre regeneration funding helped to secure an overall investment of £4.25m,” she said.
“Aimed at the town centre, this cash injection has seen the restoration of 13 buildings, with four of these being brought back into commercial and residential use.
“This included the conversion of the Royal Hotel and former Royal Bar to residential use, both located within the same building, and the creation of two new retail units and a restaurant in adjacent premises.
“It also included support for the conversion of the former Co-op building into residential use.”
She added: “Current market demand for retail is not sufficiently high to warrant commercial use. However, the plans are sufficiently adaptable that the ground floor could be brought back into commercial use, if appropriate, in the future.
“Through local consultation, the community have expressed significant satisfaction with these improvements.”