A former Callander restaurant which was damaged when a fire ravaged a nearby building is to be turned into flats.
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners have approved an application by Gemtarget Ltd for a change of use of Ciros at 114 Main Street to create two residential units and make external alterations.
The restaurant and five flats were severely damaged when fire took hold in May 2017, forcing families out of their homes and destroying possessions.
The roof collapsed on the top floor flat and the restaurant suffered smoke and water damage, forcimg it to close.
The community later raised around £4500 to help those affected.
The planning application focuses on the ground floor of the traditional three storey and attic sandstone building on the south side of Main Street, within Callander Conservation Area.
In their decision, the planners said: “To make the building safe additional downtakings were carried out including complete removal of the roof, reduction in stone wall heads and chimneys, removal of some internal masonry walls and stud partitions.
“As a result the building fabric was exposed and subject to significant water damage from weather and efforts to control the fire.
“The restaurant has not traded since the fire in May 2017.
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“Work recently commenced on the reinstatement of the roof and fire damaged building.
“Permission is sought to change the use of the former restaurant to form two residential flats on the ground floor with associated external alterations to existing door and window openings on the front and gable elevations and removal of fascia signage with associated stone repairs/cleaning.
“The applicant has identified that residents of the proposed flats would have facility for parking at the existing parking at the rear of the site, accessed off Pearl Street.
“The unfortunate circumstances of this case, the considerable period of vacancy, the unsuccessful marketing (in excess of 12 months) and the site’s location on the outer fringes of the commercial core of Callander all provide sufficient information to enable a full assessment of the case.
“The submitted case, in this instance, justifies policy support for the proposed change of use from restaurant use.
“The conversion has been designed to limit the external changes and be as sympathetic to the character and appearance of the building, and would be in keeping with the adjacent buildings, which have residential ground floor frontages.
“Furthermore, the building would retain its contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area.”
The planners said a comprehensive set of conditions would be attached to the permission, to control the final materials and methods to be used and ensure the works are carried out to a high standard.
Nikki and Ciro Cirillo, who started working in his uncle’s pizzeria in Naples when he was just 12, launched their first business Ciro’s in Callander in 2007.
But the fire forced the popular Italian eatery to close after 10 years when it was severely damaged by a fire which broke out in a flat above.
The pair later took over management of the restaurant within Loch Tay Highland Lodges near Killin and most recently opened Ciro’s, based at Glenbervie Golf Club near Larbert, which won the Scotland’s Best Newcomer accolade at the Scottish Italian Awards last year.
