Residents outraged over timing of planning bid
Claims developers‘dumped’bumper file over holidays
Scone residents are incensed after realising a developer has “dumped” a planning application containing more than 1300 pages with the council during the festive period.
The PA reported last week that A&J Stephen had submitted an in principle application for 700 houses at Scone North just 24 hours ahead of councillors controversially ruling that an embargo on housing developments of this size could be lifted.
And, on Tuesday, we reported that campaigners had taken to the streets of Scone wearing antipollution masks to make a point about the impact the proposed development could have on air quality in the village as more people move in with their cars.
Following the submission, residents fear people who would ordinarily object to the proposal will not take the time to make their feelings known as a result of a hectic festive schedule.
One campaigner who was back out on the streets on Wednesday highlighting the council’s controversial ruling – that at least 100 houses can now be built “in parallel” with the proposed Cross Tay Link Road (CTLR) – said the timing of the application being lodged was “appalling”.
“It’s absolutely shocking,” she said. “This has been dumped on us just a week before Christmas and it’s 43 different documents and over 1300 pages long.
“How can we possibly absorb all of this information and respond to it in just 21 days, especially over the festive period?”
Strathmore councillor Lewis Simpson presented last week’s full meeting of Perth and Kinross Council with a motion that would have seen the development postponed until the CTLR is actually constructed but was denied a vote on it.
He said a number of his constituents had noted the timing of A&J Stephen’s application.
The Lib Dem elected representative, who took the time to print and weigh the entire application, said: “Many people have spoken to me about the remarkable coincidence that a 1300-page planning application weighing 3.8kg has been made over the festive period.
“I will continue to work with the people of Scone and the surrounding area to try to ensure they’re not exploited by the planning process despite the number of blockages placed in my way.”
Strathmore councillor Dennis Melloy, who had been standing by to second councillor Simpson’s motion last week, added that although the consultation period has been extended it has also been noted the application comes at a time when the council’s offices are closed and officers are unable to respond to questions or hand out hard copies of the application.
He said: “Scone residents are quite rightly very unhappy at the way they are being treated. Once again, they feel that the council is just not listening to them.”
John Stephen, the managing director of A&J Stephen, yesterday insisted the application had not been timed to coincide with Christmas and that people still have plenty of time to respond to it. He added: “The planning application process is detailed and onerous to ensure that the applicant meets the requirements of PKC and the Scottish Government and adheres to robust environmental legislation.
“It took many months to bring the application forward, resulting in the comprehensive package which was submitted to the council on December 12.
“As much as we’d like to have submitted the application some time ago, we were not in a position
Councillors Dennis Melloy and Lewis Simpson with the hefty planning application
to do so due to the significant volume of work involved in preparing an application of this type.
“In line with all planning applications, there is a standard period for comments. However, to take account of the Christmas holidays, we understand PKC has extended this period so anyone wishing to comment on the application would not be disadvantaged.”