Comrie offered a square deal

Oct 22 2009 By Lynn Duke, Strathearn Herald

AN EXCITING offer has been made to the people of Comrie that could see the village left with an attractive lasting legacy.

A window of opportunity has arisen for the site of the old garage in Drummond Street, which is currently surrounded by an unsightly hoarding, to be turned into a landscaped seating area with parking, effectively creating a new village

The owner of the site, Braemore Estates, is offering the community temporary use of the area until its planned development of luxury apartments begins, which is not expected to be anytime soon.

A group of residents are seizing the chance and have been exploring ideas for the site with various designs being considered.

Central to their plans is a green space with seating, and drawings have already been prepared showing an appealing village square with views to Melville Monument.

The residents’ group believes that this is a much needed resource for locals and tourists.

A spokesperson told the Herald: “Though Comrie has two parks and an open space alongside the River Earn, their positions do not allow them to serve the community in the same way that is proposed.

“Such a development would present a superb and permanent transformation of the village centre, one worthy of a conservation village. It will serve as an exemplar for other small towns in Scotland which, like Comrie, do not have in their centres a place free of passing traffic where people can simply stop and talk.”

The group also envisages that such an area could provide art space and be used for holding markets and open air concerts.

Architect’s plans depicting a seating area with parking spaces at the rear of the site were presented at the October meeting of Comrie Community Council.

Councillors agreed that car parking or a green area would be a huge asset to the village and if this project could be achieved they would be happy to help in any way reasonably possible.

Lack of money was cited as the major problem at present with the green area estimated as costing around £20,000 to implement as per the plans.

It was pointed out that a temporary car park on the site could be put in place much

more cheaply.

The community council had concerns about spending money on a project that may

only be around for a relatively short period of time. Community Council Secretary Tim Lucas said that some sort of security of tenure would be needed before such sums

of money could be invested.

However, councillors did feel that any development of the site should be encouraged as it is understood that it is likely to remain in its present forlorn state for two

or three years before any commercial development takes place.

The residents’ group promoting the idea are also looking into the possibility of raising funds to purchase the site outright as a permanent legacy for the village.

The spokesperson added: “Braemore Estates recognise the advantages to Comrie that a village square would bring and have indicated that they would be willing to sell it or find some alternative resolution, perhaps involving exchanging the site for land elsewhere.

“The temporary ‘Comrie Community Square’ project would rely on volunteers to help and local contractors have already come forward who are willing to offer their time and equipment to help with the work.

If the project progresses, a trust would be created to administer it and we would then be in a position to acquire the property if benefactors came forward to help

fund a purchase.”

For further information or to volunteer help, contact Blair Urquhart, who will pass on any queries to the project coordinators.

He can be reached at The House of Tartan just opposite the site, telephone 01764 679000.