Rail travellers will soon be able to grab a cuppa and bite to eat at Dunkeld and Birnam Railway Station.
Temporary planning permission for up to five years has been granted for a takeaway unit within the station’s car park.
Local opinion was split on the plans for the shipping container originally proposed as yellow but now green to blend in with the surroundings.
There were 11 letters of objection, 10 in support and two general comments saying the council should be supportive of new businesses.
Councillors on Perth and Kinross Council’s planning and development management committee unanimously supported the application put before them on June 29.
Claire Schmidt and Orkun Cervic submitted plans to Perth and Kinross Council for a container unit and decking area within the station’s car park.
At Tuesday’s meeting Claire told councillors how her husband Orkun lost his job as head chef at Dunkeld House Hotel during the first lockdown of the pandemic.
She said: “We faced some difficulties going forward from that but in the middle of the difficulties also arose an opportunity.
“It was our dream for a long time to own our own business.”
The couple fell in love with the shipping container concept and after talking to locals, thought the railway station would be an ideal location.
As well as being next to the station it is near a cycle path used by walkers and cyclists.
The Craft Diner will serve burgers and sandwiches using meat from a local butcher.
Liberal Democrat councillor Lewis Simpson asked what consideration had been given to creating a restaurant within the existing station building.
The couple said the cost of renovating the A-listed building would be around £250,000 - money they just do not have.
Claire added: “It would be an absolute dream to do that - if the business makes us rich.”
Mr Cervic told councillors they spoke to Scotrail - which owns the car park - and it had “no problem” with their container unit occupying four spaces of the car park’s overflow section.
Councillors were told by a council officer there would still be “sufficient parking available” with approximately 30 unmarked spaces within the car park.
Disabled access will be provided via a ramp to the decking area.
SNP councillor Mike Williamson asked council officers if they were content this would not lead to additional accidents from increased traffic from northbound traffic crossing the A9 into the station.
A roads officer said Transport Scotland was content in regards to the impact and road safety concerns as was the road safety team with no accidents recorded at the junction within the last five years.
Transport Scotland had no objections subject to no advertising being placed on the A9.
An officer confirmed there had been no applications for advertising.
Conservative councillor David Illingworth raised a concern about the lack of toilet facilities.
An officer said provision of toilets was not a requirement for a snack van of this scale and public toilets were located close by just beyond the pedestrian and cycle underpass at Birnam Arts and Conference Centre and in Dunkeld.
Local Strathtay Conservative councillor Ian James moved for approval, acknowledging the divided local opinion but said within the 10 letters of support were 44 signatures of support.
He said: “In all honesty you’d expect a refreshment facility at a train station and God knows how many people who have stood on that platform would have relished a cup of tea or something.”
Cllr Gray seconded, wishing the business success.
The application was unanimously approved.
