Huge project back on table
Plans for housing and discount store
Plans for a huge housing development on the outskirts of Blairgowrie have resurfaced this week - two years after the developers were advised by planners to re-think their proposals.
Hundreds of new houses, a discount supermarket chain, a care home, spaces for business and areas for community use could be phased in over a number of years on a large site off the town’s Perth Road.
And local people have been given the chance to have their say on the plans, which could change the face of Blairgowrie for generations to come, at a public consultation event this Thursday.
Proposals for the long-term scheme on the 74-acre site were first submitted to Perth and Kinross Council in late 2014 by the Westpark Partnership LLP.
The scheme divided opinion in the town at the time. Since then, as part of the pre-application planning process, PKC provided feedback to the applicants on areas of the proposals it felt were required to be developed further to support the bid.
The designs were drawn up by Edinburgh-based firm Yeoman McAlister Architects on behalf of the Westpark Partnership who say that a formal planning application is now expected to be submitted to the local authority by May this year.
Derek Pirouet, a partner with Yeoman McAlister Architects, said the designs were broadly similar to those first put forward in 2014 but that a commitment from leading discount brand Lidl had now been secured.
He said: “We are holding another public consultation this week to bring the local community up to speed with the minor tweaks to the proposed application and to give people the opportunity to comment on the plans.
“We have had constant dialogue with PKC over the last two years and have refined the designs accordingly.
“In addition, the discount retailer that had initially expressed an interest in having a presence within the development has now committed to the scheme.
“There is also a strong interest from another party looking to develop a hotel and a family restaurant at the site and we also have parties that are interested in the care element of the scheme.”
Up to 400 houses, including affordable housing, were planned for the site.
Mr Pirouet said: “This is an exciting opportunity for Blairgowrie and we are keen to see it come to fruition.
“There is huge demand for housing in the area, particularly affordable housing, and the employment element that comes from the retail, hotel and restaurant and the care home is also important.”
Local councillor for Blairgowrie and the Glens Caroline Shiers said: “I’d urge local people and businesses with an interest to attend this event. This would be a major development proposal for the town and it is important the public have their say. There will be another opportunity when a formal planning application is lodged.”
Councillor Shiers also reminded local residents of several developments currently proposed for the town, adding: “There are a number of applications in the pipeline around Blairgowrie and Rattray which will all impact on the local infrastructure and it is important this is taken into consideration to ensure our local services can sustain an increased volume of housing.
“The addition of a Lidl as a confirmed part of the proposal, as opposed to an unconfirmed part of the original presentation, will no doubt bring interest in the proposal.”
Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council also encouraged locals to air their thoughts at the meeting.
The public consultation event will be held on Thursday, March 2, from 4.30pm to 7.30pm at Blairgowrie Town Hall.