Two Perthshire Filling Stations Found Operating Without Planning Consent; Council Decides This Is ‘Probably Fine, Honestly’
Officials say enforcement 'would mean filling in a form about the people who didn't fill in a form'.
A filling station (not in Perthshire), which has all its paperwork, presumably. Photo: Rodhullandemu, “Shell petrol station, Scotland Road”, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
BALBEGGIE — Perth and Kinross Council has confirmed that filling stations at Balbeggie and Guildtown have been operating without planning permission, but that it is not taking enforcement action.
“It’s very pragmatic,” said a planning insider. “Technically they’re not allowed. But they’d almost certainly be allowed if they asked. So we’ve asked them to ask. When they ask, we’ll probably say yes. Then everyone will be exactly where they are now, but with more paper.”
Residents elsewhere have been inspired. One Stanley man has reportedly built a conservatory “on the same principle”, while a Luncarty woman says her shed has been “operating without consent since 1996 and has never once been asked to regularise itself.”
Motorists are simply glad of the petrol. “If it’s illegal, it’s the friendliest illegal thing in Perthshire,” said one. “They do a decent sausage roll.”
The real story: Balbeggie and Guildtown filling stations operating without planning consent; no enforcement planned (Daily Record)
Letters to the Editor
The views expressed are those of the reader, and frankly that's on them.
No letters yet. The town is uncharacteristically quiet.
Write to the Editor