| Pitlochry: What The Developers Have Planned
On Tuesday 2 June Upland Developments of Aviemore and its architect held a visual presentation of their plans for the former Pitlochry Curling Rink and its town centre acquisitions in Pitlochry Town Hall. Representatives of the company were on hand and available for individual questioning. Throughout the afternoon there was a constant flow of people and the opportunity was also provided to write a response to the plans and proposals.
Local objectors had asked people to meet at the same venue at 5.30pm in order to raise concerted objections. Estimates are that nearly 300 people visited. A call was made for the developers to answer questions from those who rallied. This was declined since they felt they were confronted by a mob. They pointed out that they had voluntarily agreed to make the presentation, which they need not have done.
High Density Homes
The Curling rink site plans had been very slightly modified regarding density but nevertheless they still feature high density social housing which, it is believed, will accommodate homeless people from throughout Perth and Kinross. The plans still lack amenity spaces for the residents.
The town centre site, a larger area around the recessed Bank House (opposite Fishers Hotel) and the former Greggs café, would be demolished and a 40 bed Travelodge built with a large retail space on the ground floor suitable for a Tesco-type ‘express’ store opening onto the main thoroughfare of Atholl Road
Distinctive Charm Destroyed
In addition, a high long building containing some 22 private flats with 8 smaller retail units will occupy the Bank House site, with 53 car park spaces in front. The burn on either side would be floodlit.
Local observers note that the Bank House was sold 5-6 yrs ago for around £249,000. It was then sold again last October for £750,000 - well over market price.
A feeling was expressed that the centre site is potentially an opportunity for regenerating the area to create a beautiful, iconic town square, rather than this plan, condiered by some to be ‘mediocre’, which will siphon money out of the local economy and create a clone town brand image for Pitlochry which would destroy its distinctive charm and long term attractiveness.
It is noted that there are only twenty days of the year when tourist beds may not be available in the Pitlochry area. In addition, there are already empty shops in the town. It seems evident that this is an ‘old paradigm’ maximum-profit enterprise scheme proposal that has little to do with sustainable development or about local economic and social wellbeing.
Honey Pot Syndrome
It is an example of ‘malignant capitalism’ rather than one of ‘enterprising capitalism’ which would create robust wealth potential for this mature town. There are fears that such a scheme would leave the town and its surrounding community economically more fragile.
There are reported to be currently another ten small sites in Pitlochry that are due for development and many of these are also scheduled to be for flats. There seems to be a ‘bees round the honey pot’ housing swarm in the town.
A feeling of betrayal and lack of straightforwardness on the part of the community council about this town centre development has arisen, especially since the vice charman of the community council and its planning convener John Pearson had held a private meeting with developers prior to this all being made public.
Some felt that that the community council lacks the adequate resources to deal with such a major issue or ato nurture a viable, holistic plan for Pitlochry. Word of these proposals and opposition to them were spread by concerned but inexperienced and time-constrained individuals.
There is a clear and urgent need to reform the planning process to allow for more stakeholder voices, for community self determination and for literacy in the nature of sustainable development.
There will be a Community Council Extraordinary Meeting at 7.30pm Friday 5 June at Pitlochry High School
by Liz Hodgson
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