Idea ‘blighted with problems’

Residents hit out at social housing proposal

Local residents have again hit out at proposals for a new housing development at Blackthorn Place in Blairgowrie, describing similar projects in Dundee as being “blighted with problems”.

Emotions were running high when over 40 members of the public attended the latest meeting of Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council, held last week, to make their feelings on the proposals for 71 affordable homes in the town known.

Perth and Kinross Council has approved funding of nearly half a million pounds to Hillcrest Housing Association for the development of socal rented units at Blackthorn Place, near Blairgowrie Community Campus.

One member of the public said: “I am new to the area having just moved here and I am shocked that a trendy left-wing indvidual somewhere thinks its okay to drop social housing on a nice respectable area like this.

“I have got experience of Hillcrest in Dundee, it is blighted with problems, and people are going to have to live with this on an ongoing basis.

“I came here to get away from all that sort of thing and am absolutely astounded that some trendy jobsworth thinks its a good idea.”

And another commented: “I am concerned about the impact of a huge influx of people in this area which currently has no problems.

“It’s a quiet area and we are all quite happy staying here but this is getting dumped on us and it’s going to bring property prices down.”

It was announced at the community council meeting that a public exhibition on the proposed new housing development is to take place on Thursday, February 16.

The exhibition, which will be held at Blairgowrie Community Campus between 4pm and 7pm, is being organised by developers Stewart Milne.

The news came just days after the Blairie first revealed that local residents had serious concerns about both the proposed new development in the town and Perth and Kinross Council’s handling of the issue.

Speaking at the community council meeting, one member of the public said: “We have concerns about the size and the amount of the affordable housing on this one site in Blair.

“Seventy-one houses at Blackthorn Places would lead to a ratio of nine to one affordable to privately-owned houses there which we feel is too much. There are already traffic safety issues around the school and a big increase in the number of houses here would exacerbate this.

“And we have concerns about the capacity of the school and whether it could cope with such a big influx of pupils in one go.”

Another concerned resident commented: “We have only just bought our house in Blackthorn Place - it was supposed to be private but if this development goes ahead that’s not the case. Ninety per cent social housing is totally extreme in a private development. My concern is that the council has a vested interest in this and will let it pass anyway.”

And one young mum from McLaren Park added: “I don’t think anyone objects to part-buy houses but if it is all rented accommodation it will be the most vulnerable people from all areas, not just Blairgowrie, that will end up there. I’ve seen it happen in Pitlochry and that was a smaller development than what is being proposed here.”

Local councillor for Blairgowrie and the Glens, Caroline Shiers, was at the meeting.

She said: “We have been pushing Stewart Milne to have a public consultation before they lodge the planning application which they are now going to do.

“Stewart Milne staff will be there to answer questions and that will form part of their planning application.”

Chair of the community council Morag Young urged people to attend the exhibition.

She continued: “The best thing concerned residents can do is go along to the public meeting and ask Stewart Milne all these questions.

“The last two or three developers in the town have paid to buy themselves out of the clause where they have to include an element of affordable housing.

“There are lots of young people and families who are looking for somewhere to rent locally but whose wages are low – teachers, nurses, care workers for example.

“Members of the community council will be at the public exhibition and we will keep a note of people’s concerns.”