Glenalmond Road plans up at committee

A planning application for more than 200 houses on Rattray’s Glenalmond Road has been recommended for approval by planning officers at Perth and Kinross Council.

The application by Larbertbased developer Springfield Properties is for a residential development of 217 homes, which would be a mixture of two, three and four-bedroomed houses, landscaping, open space and associated infrastructure.

Plans for the development were submitted to the local authority last November and will go before the council’s development management committee on Wednesday, July 5.

Local councillor Caroline Shiers, has written to the members of the committee urging them to take into consideration a number of concerns local residents have with the proposals.

In her letter, Councillor Shiers said:“There are concerns regarding an increase in traffic. The traffic on Hatton Road, which is the main access road, is already heavy, which is concerning given that it is right next to the Common and drop-off zone for Rattray Primary School.

“I have recently had another meeting with roads officers to look at the issues with visibility from Hatton Road onto the High Street and have asked that measures be put in place to aid children crossing the road. To give approval for 217 houses which would use Hatton Road as a main access would only make this problem worse. I have huge concerns which I would like to see addressed prior to any further development going ahead.

“Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council have also raised concerns about the negative impact on Blairgowrie Holiday Park. I very much share this concern.

“The Holiday Park is a fantastic local employer, has won a number of major awards and the contribution it makes to the local economy is significant.

“I would urge you to be very confident that the development of this site is not detrimental to this important tourist attraction in Rattray.

“Thirdly, there are well documented issues with flooding and drainage in this area.”