A vacant cottage hospital building possibly destined for holiday flats has generated support for the community to buy it instead.
Previously the PA reported that locals in Aberfeldy were concerned to hear of a planning application to convert Aberfeldy Cottage Hospital into seven self-catering units.
The listed building is owned by NHS Tayside and when it was closed in 2017 Perth and Kinross Council put together a proposal to convert it into key-worker accommodation. This was later shelved as not being best value for money.
The building will be bought by a private company - on condition that the planning application is agreed.
Sally Murray, who is hoping to be elected as a Highland Ward councillor at the forthcoming local elections, responded by beginning an online petition.
She highlighted the “acute” shortage of affordable housing in the district.
So far, the change.org petition has secured 719 signatures.
Mrs Murray’s online petition hopes to gain the 1000 signatures to ensure the matter is debated at a higher national level.
“The current planning application to convert Aberfeldy Cottage Hospital into seven self-catering units is not best value for the local community,” she declared on April 3.
“There is an acute shortage of affordable housing in the area generally and it’s difficult to recruit nurses, teachers and other key workers due to lack of suitable housing – resulting in the temporary closure of Pitlochry Hospital last year.
“There is already a surplus of self-catering accommodation in the area and there is a drastic shortage of affordable housing for both the rental and owner markets as well as a shortage of staff in almost every local business due to lack of housing.
“The area needs a plan which creates a better balance of housing and a sustainable tourism model.
“We the undersigned believe planning for holiday accommodation should be refused and the social housing proposal needs to be revisited as a top priority for Perth and Kinross Council and the community.”
The matter prompted a rural community council to ask residents about their feelings about the holiday flats redevelopment plan.
Sue Dolan-Betney, chair of Glenlyon and Loch Tay Community Council, said: “Although it is out of our area, the future of this building could have an affect on any of us. There is a chronic shortage in the area for employees in the medical services and teaching.”
The closing date for public comment was April 15.
Locals hope that a refusal of the application will clear the way for a community buy-out.
