Blairgowrie supports River Ericht projects

Jan 28 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Blairgowrie Adv

A SERIES of projects designed to revitalise east Perthshire have been given residents’ resounding approval.

Well over 200 people gathered in Blairgowrie Town Hall to hear how plans for a River Ericht visitors’ centre and hydro scheme are progressing.

In an event championed by the Blairgowrie and Rattray Regeneration Company (BARRC), locals gathered at the Brown Street venue to hear prominent businessman Allan Proctor call for their support, or risk “kissing goodbye” to £1.5million pledged through the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Making an impassioned plea, the Perthshire construction chief said: “These projects are only a small part of what I believe the BARRC can do for this area.

“I like the idea for a visitors’ centre because we really need a smart, clever building.

“It’s not just about people coming into Blairgowrie and Rattray. It’s about local people taking ownership of it for themselves, and visitors being part of this.

“The one thing I dislike about Blairgowrie is that you will always get people saying what they think you should be doing.

“That is dangerous, if people don’t get behind this we could be kissing goodbye to over £1million.

“I can’t think why anyone, once they’ve had a look at the plans, wouldn’t think the centre is incredible.

“We get hugely upset about traffic congestion and things like that, but it’s time to move on because we’ll never get this chance again.”

Mr Proctor claimed too many Blair residents spend their money away from the town.

“These projects are a one-off shot that could result in people saying, “go and see that new building” when they come here,” he said.

“And this is only the first stage, it doesn’t stop here. This will increase employment and create other opportunities for local people, but all that hinges on the public getting behind it and taking it to the next stage.”

Plans for the state-of-the-art centre in the footprint of an old grain mill were submitted to Perth and Kinross Council last week.

Barrc director Ross Peters said the hydro scheme – which will see environmentally-friendly turbines erected in the Ericht – will generate approximately £30,000 for the community each year.

Mr Peters continued: “We have to sign a contract with Scottish and Southern Energy by the middle of February and we aim to start building work in March, completing it by December 2010.

“We’re looking to have the hydro scheme up-and-running by March 2011.”

A number of locals, particularly those who live in Blairgowrie’s Riverside Park area, voiced concerns over the traffic congestion both projects could potentially cause.

Ewan Anderson, of Edinburgh-based 7N Architects, said a traffic survey had shown the visitors’ centre would create “one extra car travelling through the town every ten minutes”.

Despite critical comments from a small section of the audience, the vast majority of residents voted in favour of the plans.