Plan to turn former rope works into yoga studio approved
Plans for the redevelopment of Montrose’s historic rope works have been approved by councillors.
The plans, lodged by local firm Fraser Commercial Group, will see the C-listed building on Bents Road transformed into a yoga studio, hair salon and storage units.
The approved development is a scaled-back version of a scheme which also included a bakery and café. Angus Council’s development standards committee approved the fresh plans at a recent meeting.
A report by officers detailed the planned yoga studio and wellness consultation room will be staffed by one yoga instructor and one wellness consultant.
The studio will operate Monday to Saturday from 9am to 9pm, hosting two or three classes daily with up to 15 participants per class.
The consultation room will operate Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm, accommodating one to three clients per day. The hairdressers, operated by one hairdresser, will open daily from 9am to 6pm, with five to six appointments per day.
The storage facilities will be unstaffed and accessible from 8am to 8pm.
Plans to redevelop the site first emerged in 2024 included proposals for a bakery and café. However, the application was later withdrawn.
But councillors delayed a decision on the application in order to visit the site. They also asked planning officials to deliver a detailed transport plan outlining how access and parking issues on the narrow street would be addressed.
SNP councillor Kenny Braes said: “Previously this one was quite a difficult one for me, but having had the site visit and seeing this travel plan and the conditions, I’m much more comfortable with it.”
Convener David Cheape added: “I still have some concerns regarding access and parking. We have to remember that many users will be using these storage facilities to drop off and collect potentially sizable items. It’s unrealistic to think they will use public transport to do so – that said, there is a drop-off point.
“Users of the yoga and well-being facilities would, I hope, use sustainable travel or public transport as there is no parking for them on the site.”
The proposals were passed unanimously.