NUMBER OF NEW HOMES MAY RISE

East Perthshire sites in latest development plan

Hundreds more homes could be built on sites set aside for far fewer houses five years ago if proposed changes to the council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) go unchallenged.

The proposed LDP2, which will be used to inform decisions on developments in east Perthshire for the next five years once it is agreed, recommends increasing the number of houses that can be built on a number of sites already identified as suitable for large housing developments.

In particular it is being suggested that sites at western Blairgowrie and Blairgowrie south could hold up to 280 and 148 houses respectively instead of 200 and 85 as is stipulated in the current plan.

In addition to these increases, PKC planners have also recommended a number of new sites be added to the next LDP, including one described as the “Blairgowrie Eastern Expansion” – land behind Brucefield Road in the town - which the document says could end up accommodating anywhere between 594 and 928 new homes in the future.

Other new sites being recommended for inclusion in the next plan, which goes out for public consultation on Friday, include Westfields of Rattray and Annfield Road in Alyth where officials reckon

at least 68 and 73 new houses could go respectively or perhaps as many as 104 and 112.

These new recommended housing number “ranges” have been introduced in response to the disputes that arise when developers apply to build more houses on sites than the LDP appears to allow for.

Speaking at the council meeting last week, council leader Ian Campbell said: “Despite the long term approach in LDP1, most recent projections require additional land allocation in both Strathearn and Strathmore. The plan identifies strategic allocations in Blairgowrie, Crieff and Auchterarder which meet these requirements.

“As with the Perth area these strategic sites are likely to meet development needs beyond the plan period.”

He added: “Estimating the number of houses a site can accommodate has always been problematic. There are many factors which affect housing numbers, including market conditions, physical and service constraints, and it’s only when detailed site investigations are completed that a degree of certainty emerges.

“The new approach in the LDP indicates a density range. Hopefully with future applications it will be the exception rather than the norm that the housing number in the LDP is exceeded.”

Local councillors for the Blairgowrie and Glens ward urged residents to have their say on the proposals during the consultation.

Councillor Caroline Shiers said: “There are a number of new sites for residential and business development sites which will make a significant difference to the town.

“There is a drop-in session at the Angus Hotel on Friday, December 9, and comments can also be made online and in writing to the council.

“This is extremely important and I would encourage people to have their say.”

Councillor Tom McEwan commented: “As a major town in Perth and Kinross it is to be expected that additional growth areas for development over the next 20 years in this area would be identified.

“I am glad to see another mixed use site identified so that jobs and services can be expanded in the town preventing any movement towards Blairgowrie becoming a dormitory town.

“This additional mixed use site also contains provision for a new cemetery, which is a timely addition to the LDP.”

The consultation on the proposed LDP2 starts on Friday and will end on February 2.

Listed below are some of the new sites suggested for inclusion in the proposed LDP2 as well as some of the revisions to existing sites: ALYTH AND NEW ALYTH LDP2 NEW SITE Annfield Place: 73–112 houses BLAIRGOWRIE LDP Western Blairgowrie: Up to 200 houses

Glenalmond Road, Rattray: 160 houses

Blairgowrie South: 85 houses LDP2 Western Blairgowrie: 179–280 houses

Glenalmond Road, Rattray: 139–217 houses

Blairgowrie South: 94–148 houses NEW SITES Blairgowrie Eastern Expansion: 594–928 houses (300 in phase 1 to 2028)

Westfields of Rattray: 68–104 houses

Golf Course Road: 18–31 houses MEIGLE LDP Ardler Road: 20 houses Forfar Road: 50 houses (phase 1) LDP2 Ardler Road: 23–36 houses

Forfar Road: 64-100 houses (limited to 50 during the lifetime of the plan)