Planning permission has been granted for two bungalows on the site of former tennis courts in a walled garden at Kinross.
The site sits north west of the town’s Green Hotel in Kinross Conservation Area.
The plans received 10 objections including Kinross-shire Civic Trust which was concerned about the loss of “important historic features”.
The application by Premier Properties (Fife) Ltd went before Perth and Kinross Council’s (PKC) Planning and Placemaking Committee for consideration on Wednesday, December 11.
The plans were recommended for approval subject to several conditions. One of the conditions requested information on the repairs and maintenance of the existing garden wall and design details for the proposed two new gates to the walled garden be submitted and approved in writing by the PKC as planning authority before any building work starts.
Plans were originally submitted for the houses to be two-storey but were revised to one-storey.
The report – put before councillors – referred to trees “by the wider landowner (not the applicant) without consent within part of the application site”. The tree removal is currently under investigation by the council’s Enforcement team.
Architect Gary Caudrey, of Oliver and Robb Architects, addressed the committee on behalf of the applicants.
He said: “The proposals will improve the character and environment of the area.
“The site has become overgrown having lain idle for some time and it’s not designated as open space.
“The development serves to restore and enhance the existing wall and ensure its longevity and contribution to the future. The existing wall to the Muirs, which we are having to alter to form the access has come from the visibility splay of 2.4 by 43 metres.”
The committee’s convener Ian Massie moved the plans for approval, which were seconded by fellow SNP councillor Mike Williamson.
Kinross-shire Independent councillor Dave Cuthbert proposed adding a condition for a build-out to be built on the Muirs “should it prove possible” but received no support for the proposal.
Planning permission was unanimously granted.