Beauty-spot homes given green light

Dec 18 2008 Blairgowrie Advertiser

Beauty-spot homes given green light

A FOUR-YEAR saga was resolved when planners sanctioned a multi-million-pound housing scheme in Blairgowrie.

Lingering residents’ concerns over drainage, road safety and density failed to stop Dundee-based West Residential from gaining consent for the erection of 13 luxury homes at Blairgowrie’s picturesque Burnhead Paddock.

A bid for a 21-house project at the David Street meadow had earlier been refused by Perth and Kinross Council’s development control committee in June last year.

Pointing out that the firm held numerous public meetings to find a compromise acceptable to furious locals, its managing director Martin Donnachie yesterday acknowledged Burnhead’s importance as “a sensitive site”.

“In preparing our application, we have taken residents’ comments on board,” he said.

“We have altered individual house and window positions where they were causing concern to neighbours.”

Outline consent for housing at Burnhead was first granted in March 2005.

Following unrest among locals over a proposed play area at the Hill o’ Blair site, the developers have pledged £60,000 towards the cost of creating a park elsewhere in Blairgowrie.

Mr Donnachie said a specialist’s report, which found no flood risks, had addressed lingering drainage concerns.

“Any water problems would be significantly relieved by this development,” he insisted.

“It is significant that the residents’ action group have chosen not to speak against the application.

“It is hard to keep everyone happy, but we have bent over backwards to try and bring a vastly-improved scheme that will improve the local area.”

Elizabeth Mason, one of 17 formal objectors, claimed the scheme would create “a strong visual barrier” in the local townscape.

“This plan should not be regarded as a compromise,” she said.

“People are being made to accept this is the best they will get, but it is not good enough.”

Despite broadly supporting the bid, local councillor Caroline Shiers expressed her own reservations.

“The developers have gone a long way in listening to all the views expressed, but questions still need to be answered,” she said.

Giving his approval, committee top dog Willie Wilson said the scheme would enhance Blairgowrie.