Takeaway given go-ahead for former Perthshire village bank building

Planning permission has been granted for a takeaway in a listed building in a Perthshire conservation area.

Arif Minhas submitted an application to convert the former Royal Bank of Scotland building in Comrie into a hot food takeaway.

The C-listed building sits on the corner of Drummond Street and Bridge Street and lies within the picturesque Perthshire village's conservation area.

Former bank building in Comrie (Google Maps)

Previously planning permission had been granted to convert the ground floor unit into a flat.

Councillors were last week recommended - by officers - to approve change of use plans to allow the ground floor of the building to go back into commercial use but this time as a takeaway.

In 2020 planning permission was granted to convert the whole building - spread over three floors - into three separate flats. The work has not been carried out yet.

Perth and Kinross Council's Planning and Placemaking Committee was asked to grant permission to allow the bottom unit to be a takeaway with the existing flue replaced with a stainless steel flue reaching 2.9 metres above the building's eaves.

Opening hours would be from 12pm to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 12pm to 9pm on Sundays.

The plans attracted nine objections. The objections included concerns about noise, parking, rubbish and the impact on the conservation area.

Council officers said it would increase footfall in the village and have a "positive impact on other local businesses through maintaining additional vitality and vibrancy".

Impact on the conservation area was thought to be minimised with the main external alteration being the change of flue at the rear. A condition was also added that the existing fixing points be used for the replacement flue to avoid damaging the stonework.

Planning conditions were added to control noise, smell and the timing of deliveries.

Transport Scotland - which is responsible for the A85 trunk road - did not object and councillors were told there was on street parking nearby.

Cllr Bob Brawn moved the plans for approval and they were seconded by Cllr Ian James.

The plans were unanimously approved.