A corrugated iron shed in the centre of Killin has been deemed too historically valuable to knock down.
Local charity the George Hogg Trust had submitted an application to demolish the storage shed at Morenish Place off Main Street, to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners.
However, the planners refused the bid saying it was of “special interest”.
The shed footprint measures 12.5 metres by five metres, and has a pitched roof height of 3.4 metres. Built of a timber frame, it is clad with traditional corrugated iron profiled sheeting on the walls and a more recent modern box profile metal roof sheeting.
Morenish Place itself is a late 19th century building fronting onto the east side of Main Street and comprising two ground floor commercial units and four flats over the upper two floors.
The shed sits behind the building and provides ancillary storage for the properties of Morenish Place, and its removal was said to be required so that the ground could be reinstated as hardstanding.
In their decision, the planners said: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the roofing material is non-original, the remainder of the building appears to be original, albeit painted.
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“In considering the building’s contribution to the Killin Conservation Area, visibility and character/appearance is taken into account. Firstly, the building can be viewed clearly from Killin Main Street, when travelling north-eastwards, and is viewed in the context and setting of the traditional building of Morenish Place and also the setting of other traditional buildings and nearby listed buildings.
“The Killin Conservation Area Appraisal (draft) refers to ‘fine examples of corrugated iron buildings all centred on the sinuous Main Street’ (as a result of Breadalbane Estate’s interest in the manufacturing of the material). It further states that ‘the survivng examples are important both in the history of building material and in the development of Killin’.
“Regardless of the modern replacement roofing (which could be replaced with a more traditional corrugated sheeting), for the reasons stated this building is considered to contribute to the preservation of the character and appearance of the Killin Conservation Area and exhibits a special interest within the local historic environment that is worthy of retention.
“If it was considered to be incapable of repair then a structural report would be needed; or if considered essential to economic growth then a proposal of community interest would required to be submitted; or if not economically viable then evidence of marketing would be required. No such supporting case has been submitted by the applicant.
“Notwithstanding the lack of supporting information, it is considered that is may not be possible to meet these tests as the building appears, from external inspection, to be structurally sound and there is no obvious case for how its demolition would help support significant wider benefits to the economy or wider community.”
