Former Aberfeldy outdoor centre to be converted into holiday apartments

Aberfeldy Community Council objected to the plans saying there was already an oversupply of holiday accommodation but a shortage of permanent residential accommodation in the area

Plans to convert a former Aberfeldy outdoor centre into an aparthotel with eight serviced flats have been unanimously approved.

Elected members on Perth and Kinross Council's Planning and Placemaking Committee rubber-stamped the proposal when they met on Wednesday, October 9.

Bailie Claire McLaren said creating additional holiday units in the Highland Perthshire town was "not wrong in an area where there is high tourist activity" but Aberfeldy Community Council - who objected - said there was "already an oversupply of holiday accommodation in the area and that it is full-time residential accommodation that the area requires".

Hurum Hussain of Dundee-based OBAR 23 Ltd submitted an application to convert the C-listed Dunolly House and its extension into seven two-bed apartments and one one-bed apartment, as accommodation for visitors to Aberfeldy and the surrounding area.

The mansion dates back to 1890 and sits on the town's Taybridge Drive with a new access proposed from Kenmore Street.

It was originally built as a home for Duncan MacDougall. The large Victorian house was later used by Breadalbane Academy as a hostel for female pupils. Latterly, it was an outdoor centre and could accommodate up to 48 guests. The cottage to the north is now separately owned.

In February 2022 planning permission was granted to convert the building into five residential flats - following the signing of a section 75 legal agreement in respect of affordable housing provision - and the permission was still in place until late February 2025.

Perth and Kinross Council received two objections to the latest application including one from Aberfeldy Community Council.

Members of the local community council submitted a letter of unanimous objection on the grounds of over development, noise, traffic and arguing the need for permanent accommodation over more holiday accommodation.

The letter of objection stated: "We are very much in favour of seeing this property developed and supported a previous application for five residential flats there... However we are now unanimously of the opinion that this application is very clearly an over development of the site. The increase in the number of flats appears to have reduced their size to a level where they are scarcely suitable for permanent accommodation."

They added that there was "already an oversupply of holiday accommodation in the area and that it is full-time residential accommodation that the area requires".

A design statement submitted on behalf of the developer indicated OBAR 23 Ltd sought "to redevelop the mansion and its extension as Aparthotel with eight apartments, accommodation for visitors to Aberfeldy and the surrounding area, thus reviving the Victorian building as an asset to the local economy".

The plans were unanimously approved by the council's Planning and Placemaking Committee on Wednesday.

Moving the plans for approval Strathtay Conservative councillor Ian James said: "I know the community council have objected for the amount of property. Actually it's no different to the size outside; it's only internally the changes happen and for good reason, I believe, to provide accommodation."

Bailie Claire McLaren seconded the plans.

The Strathtay Liberal Democrat councillor said: "It's a disused building, it's listed, it's on the edge of Aberfeldy and - as you enter it - it's very visible so to see this back in use and tidied up would be a great visual asset.

"And the creation of holiday accommodation is not wrong in an area where there is high tourist activity so I'm happy to support this application."

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