Aberfoyle’s old Co-op building is to be turned into three new businesses.
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners have approved an application by Sava Estates to turn the former store into three units - a retail unit, retail with ancillary cafe use and an office - as well as make alterations to the shopfront to create an additional entrance.
An original application was revised after some concerns were raised, however only two objections were received following the changes.
The single storey building sits in the heart of Aberfoyle’s Main Street and has a footprint of around 370 metres floorspace within a site area of 600 square metres.
It has lay vacant since the Co-op supermarket relocated to a new premises on the opposite side of the street.
While the old store itself is said to have little architectural merit, neighbouring buildings are listed including the category C listed The Bank House.
To the east of the site lies the B-listed Aberfoyle Inn building and among residential properties near the application site are some to the rear of the property.
In their decision, Park planners said: “The application (as revised) proposed the subdivision of the retail unit into three units, a class one retail use in the centre, a class 2 office use to the west and a class 1 retail with potential for ancillary cafe use on the eastern side.
“Anticipated opening hours of the cafe/deli will be 8am to 10pm seven days a week. The retail unit will operate between 7.30am and 10pm seven days a week. The office will operate between 7.30am and 10pm seven days a week.
“The application was revised in September 2022 and neighbours were renotified on the revised proposal.
“The revised proposal generated two letters of objection on the following matters: concern regarding type of food to be cooked on the premises, should be restricted to avoid frying foods and associated smell; lack of detail regarding the end users; concern regarding permitted hours of operation; concern regarding potential takeaway service; amenity issues from parking on or near the zebra crossing from car engines/radios etc; difficulty for service deliveries due to highway restrictions; property is within a flood zone; and tree on the northwest corner of the site should be retained.”
They added: “The last use of the building was as retail and since the Co-op has relocated the building has remained empty. With regards to use, the property has an established use as retail and therefore the proposal will involve the change of use of one third of the building floorplan to office use (class 2).
“The principle of the change of use is acceptable in this location and satisfies LDP (Local Development Plan) retail policy in that the existing retail use has been appropriately relocated to another suitable site.
“It is recognised that due to the relocation of the Co-op supermarket within the village, that a building of this size is unlikely to attract another large retail use to the village of Aberfoyle and the subdivision into three smaller units would be more appropriate in this location. The introduction of a small office use will promote the efficient and sustainable use of the site.
“The proposed development does not increase the footprint of the building or vulnerability of use beyond the existing situation and therefore SEPA and Flooding has raised no objection on the grounds of flood risk.
“There is one tree on the rear western corner of the site which provides a boundary screen to the neighbour dwelling.
“This tree is not protected by a TPO or conservation area status and it is therefore recognised that it is potentially vulnerable to being removed.
“A condition is recommended to ensure it is protected through the building works and that the National Park are further consulted should it need work.
“The proposal (as revised) will allow for the sustainable reuse of this prominent building in Aberfoyle village.”
