Glenalmond Rd plans on agenda
Approval recommended for 217 homes
Planning officers from Perth and Kinross Council have recommended that an application to build more than 200 houses in Rattray is approved by councillors this week.
The application by Larbertbased developer Springfield Properties is for a residential development of 217 homes at Glenalmond Road - 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and were due to go before the council’s development management committee in July this year but were dramatically withdrawn from the meeting agenda at the last minute.
At the time, a spokesperson for Springfield Properties said that the developers needed more time to work with the council and consider questions raised about the application by local councillor for the area, Caroline Shiers.
Councillor Shiers had written to the members of the committee urging them to take into consideration a number of concerns local residents had with the proposals, including an increase in traffic, particularly as the main access road, Hatton Road, is next to the Common and the drop-off zone for Rattray Primary School.
Other concerns included a possible negative impact on Blairgowrie Holiday Park, a local employer that contributes significantly to the local economy, and issues with flooding and drainage in the area.
Speaking to the Blairie ahead of Wednesday’s meeting, Councillor Shiers said: “I remain unconvinced that any of the issues I raised previously have been addressed and will be making representation to the committee ahead of Wednesday.”
In a statement, Springfield Properties land manager, David Jewell, said that the company had considered each point and amended the proposals.
He said: “We have taken this opportunity to work with council officials to consider the councillors’ feedback.
“We believe we have successfully addressed each point and hope that councillors will support our application.
“Regarding possible impact on the neighbouring caravan park, we have amended drawings to include a landscaped bund along the boundary with the park. The height of the bund is likely to be a condition of any consent.
“On the question of density, we are proposing eight homes per acre on this development, compared to 13 per acre on the surrounding housing area, and 10 per acre on more recent developments.”
Springfield Properties also said that they have added 75 visitor parking spaces to the development, bringing the total to 493.
Mr Jewell continued: “This development will make a valuable contribution to Rattray bringing homes, jobs and economic growth.
“The 217 new homes include 60 much needed affordable homes and all the homes benefit from modern design standards. They are attractive, inexpensive to run and easy to maintain. Building the homes will provide direct employment for 45 to 50 people on site and support the employment of others.”
If the application is approved, work on the site could start by the end of the year.