Plans to serve up a new restaurant in the former HSBC branch in Perth city centre have been refused after a petition in opposition said kitchen smells would be a “detriment” to surrounding residents.
In June J&E Shepherd submitted a planning proposal to Perth and Kinross Council to build the eatery at 80-84 High Street, where the bank branch had closed a month prior.
However, last week the local authority announced it had rejected the scheme over the impact an air flue may have to neighbouring residents.
The decision notice from officers stated the proposal is “contrary” to the Perth and Kinross Local Development Plan Two 2019 and that “insufficient information” has been submitted to demonstrate that potential noise generating activities and external plant would not “detrimentally impact residential amenity” and that the position/height of the flue would “detrimentally impact residential amenity” in terms of odour.
The notice adds that there is also “no material reasons” which justify departing from the development plan.
A petition, signed by 10 people, was lodged in protest at the restaurant plan on similar grounds.
It said: “Our objection is based on the fact that the applicants have chosen a position for the extraction flue which shows no consideration for the amenity of the occupiers of adjacent residential properties.
“If approved in the manner shown on the submitted drawings, particular detriment will be caused to all of the rear-facing buildings.
“The detriment will occur in terms of noise, fumes and odours from the restaurant kitchen.
“The position shown is directly opposite and within a few feet of a large existing flue attached to our building and belonging to Monterey Jack’s restaurant.
“The last thing we want is a compounding of the problem by this proposal.”
The plans saw the ground floor undergo changes including the addition of a reception area and dining rooms, with the first floor becoming the function spaces.
Local representatives hit out at HSBC after announcing the closure of the Perth branch, blaming a greater shift to online banking.
The High Street outlet shut on July 26, leaving the closest HSBC 20 miles away in Dundee.
The unit has remained empty ever since.
The move was part of a wider programme of UK HSBC branch closures, with 69 closing between July and October, impacting 400 employees.
