Drop in and have say on planning blueprint
Hundreds more homes could be built in Blairgowrie
East Perthshire residents are reminded that they will have the opportunity to see Perth and Kinross Council’s proposals for development of the area - and have their say on the plans - at a dropin session this Saturday afternoon.
The proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2) for Perth and Kinross was published on Friday last week.
Hundreds more homes could be built on sites in Blairgowrie if proposed changes to the council’s LDP go ahead unchallenged.
The proposed LDP2, which will be used to inform decisions on developments in east Perthshire for the next five years, recommends increasing the number of houses that can be built on a number of sites already identified as suitable for large housing developments.
Sites on the western and southern sides of Blairgowrie could hold up to 280 and 148 houses respectively instead of 200 and 85 as is stipulated in the current plan.
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 development include Westfields of Rattray and Annfield Road in Alyth.
The local authority is holding a consultation period, which runs until Febraury 2.
A series of drop-in events throughout the council area will give residents the opportunity to see the main policy changes and site proposals in the local area and to talk to council officers about the plan and about how to make representations regarding the proposals.
In Blairgowrie the drop-in session takes place this Saturday from 11am to 3pm in the Angus Hotel.
There will be another event in Alyth in the community wing at the town’s primary school on Wednesday, January 17 from 2pm to 7.30pm.
Local councillors have 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.
“This is extremely important and I would encourage people to have their say.”
Councillor Shiers added that she has also raised concerns regarding future healthcare provision in Blairgowrie and the wider east Perthshire area.
She said: “With the population in this area set to increase substantially and demographic changes likely, there is a growing concern locally that medical facilities – GPs but also wider healthcare facilities such as access to chiropodists and similar – will become increasingly problematic.
“I have therefore written to NHS Tayside inviting them to come to a meeting of Blairgowrie And Rattray Community Council to discuss how healthcare needs will be met in the future.”