Plans for new retail and residential space in Kenmore

Dec 20 2011 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PLANS have been lodged to overhaul two neglected 19th Century buildings in Highland Perthshire.

The application submitted to Perth and Kinross Council development chiefs requests permission to upgrade Kenmore’s old chapel, now known as the Taymouth Trading building, and the adjacent St Margaret’s accommodation.

If approval is granted, Dunfermline-based applicants, FT Investment Property Limited, will convert the upper section of the obsolete Taymouth Trading building into two residential units and turn the lower level – previously operated as a tearoom – into retail space.

St Margaret’s, currently used to house Kenmore Hotel staff, will be reconfigured and extended on its west side to provide a further four apartments, with access to the accommodation provided by a new link corridor between the two buildings.

Described as a “subtle, sympathetic and contemporary solution”, the improvements will increase the commercial viability of the Taymouth Trading building, which has lain redundant for many years.

The six one and two-bedroom apartments, which will offer stunning views over Loch Tay, could be used as permanent residences, long-term rental properties, or as short-term holiday lets.

Plans suggest there will be one parking space per residential unit, with an additional overspill parking for the retail unit’s customers.

Existing grassed area would be kept as garden space for the development. Stone walls, shrubs, trees and hedging will also be retained.

A design statement created by agents McKenzie Strickland Associates reads: “Both extensions create contemporary blocks which will not detrimentally affect the character or appearance of the existing buildings and are set back significantly to allow the existing buildings to be the key feature of the development.

“As well as providing additional much needed modest housing within Kenmore village centre, the much needed development will breath new life into the currently neglected buildings, and their sympathetic conversion and restoration will respect and enhance the local conservation area.”

A decision is expected by February 7.