Objectors to air views on Blairgowrie project

Feb 18 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Blairgowrie Adv

OBJECTORS will get the chance to air their views on a potential near-100 home development in Blairgowrie this week (Tuesday).

Perth and Kinross Council’s development control committee will be asked to consider nationwide housebuilders Miller Homes Ltd’s plans for unused farmland, situated alongside the A923 Coupar Angus Road between the east Perthshire town and Rosemount.

The proposals reveal that anywhere between 11 and 19 units could be built on each of the site’s five hectares. Therefore, if the project is given the go-ahead, up to 95 new homes could appear.

A total of 16 letters of objection have been sent to the local authority by nearby residents, including one from Blairgowrie and Rattray community council, claiming there are too many houses in the area.

But Nick Brian, the local authority’s development quality manager, is likely to caution councillors that proposed new roads and landscaped open spaces will mean “the number of units is likely to reduce”.

In a recently-released report, Mr Brian continued: “The intention is to retain the attractive landscape setting and provide a significant amount of open space within the development.

“The applicants carried-out a voluntary community consultation exercise to publicise their proposals locally, arranging two public exhibitions at a local hotel, with 113 individuals attending.”

A host of outside agencies, such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Water, Scottish Natural Heritage and local archaeologists, were approached for their thoughts but raised no concerns.

The planned northern boundary will be situated next to the existing housing at Moyness Park Drive, and it will be flanked to the east by area’s former railway line.

The project is recommended for approval, despite Mr Brian admitting it’s contrary to the area’s current local development plan.