Kenmore Gasworks Development - Decision Deferred by P&K

Edinburgh-based chartered surveyor Simon Harrison, representing restaurateur Jake Shammell of the Courtyard complex at Taymouth Holiday Centre, claimed that the proposals would undermine his client’s business ‘to the detriment of the local residents’.

Mr Harrison said that the local Structure Plan was designed to prevent proposals that could be potentially damaging to small, fragile communities. “While business competition may not be an issue, the impact on the area’s vitality and viability is worthy of consideration,” he said.

The Parking Issue

Henry Murdoch who operates a shop also at the Courtyard, adjacent to the former Gasworks, maintained that adequate parking provision for visitors was of fundamental importance to the village. The sixteen bays which were being mooted by the developers would be insufficient, he maintained. Ken Lyall, councillor for the Breadalbane Ward, told the meeting that the village had suffered from a lack of parking facilities for many years. The proposals, he claimed, would exacerbate that problem.

“Things have improved in recent years but there comes a time when you have to say ‘that’s enough’,” he said. He held that there does not seem to be any spare site available that is appropriate for the premises, adding “having so few parking spaces in the plan makes it untenable.”

However, P&K enterprise convenor, Cllr Alan Livingstone, defended the proposals. He insisted the renovated Gasworks would encourage ‘sustainable development’ in Kenmore. “The plan will add to the economy of the area by encouraging further tourism and will benefit other existing businesses.”

Ian Sleith, head of P&K development control, echoed those views claiming that the project would provide a boost to the local economy. He criticised the development control committee for being' less than practical in its demands'. (see: Kenmore Gasworks: Planners Recommend Refurb (with conditions))

He said that rejigging the proposals to meet “one hundred percent car parking demands” would lead to a detrimental visual impact and a raft of empty car parks off-season.

A motion to defer a decision on the application to give the developers a chance to rethink the parking element was proposed by the committee’s vice-convenor Lorraine Caddell. She said that she hoped a compromise would be found.