SSE’s outline plans for a new multi-million pound visitor centre in Pitlochry have been given the green light by Perth and Kinross Council.
Planning permission has been granted for the creation of the new visitor centre located adjacent to SSE’s existing site at Pitlochry dam, which would offer a 21st-century visitor experience and could attract up to 100,000 people every year.
Proposals for the environmentally sustainable building include a welcome and orientation space, interactive gallery, café, education and community room, a retail area and external viewing areas.
SSE decided to lodge plans for a new visitor centre after undertaking an independent review of its current visitor offering at the site on the River Tummel. Although the destination attracts around 50,000 visitors each year, the review concluded that it required significant investment to bring it up-to-date and overcome accessibility issues.
Due to the popularity of the dam and fish ladder, as well as the support received from the local community over the years for its hydro generation, SSE engaged with surveyors and planners to look at options for a completely new build.
Ian Marchant, outgoing CEO of SSE who championed the plans for a new centre, said: “Although our proposals are at an early stage we are really pleased with the reaction from those we’ve spoken to so far.
“We’re excited about the opportunities and benefits a new, first-class visitor experience would bring to the town, to Perthshire and to Scotland. We are now working to develop our plans further and look forward to presenting more details to the community in the coming months.”
Councillor Miller, Leader of Perth & Kinross Council, added: “I’m delighted that SSE will be bringing this new and ambitious development to Pitlochry. The dam and fish ladder are popular attractions and we are proud to support a significant local employer in promoting hydro electricity. The benefits for visitors and the community are clear and I look forward to seeing the finished visitors centre in use.”
Picture shows an artist impression of the visitor centre.