Close eye kept on developer’s field
Persimmon site watched after CC concerns
Council bosses have said a developer told to stop work on a major development in Kinross is being “closely monitored” in response to concerns raised by the town’s community council.
Perth and Kinross Council had to serve a Temporary Stop Notice (TSN) on Persimmon Homes last month after officials learned contractors had carried out major groundworks at Lathro Farm ahead of the planned creation of up to 300 homes on the 33 hectare site.
Although Persimmon were granted provisional planning permission for the scheme back in September the company was not supposed to actually start work until it had at least agreed to make a financial contribution towards new road infrastructure to support the site.
The controversy over the unauthorised works was discussed at a meeting of Kinross Community Council (KCC) this month and the group has since written to PKC planning chief Nick Brian seeking assurances the TSN will not be lifted until transport mitigation measures have been agreed and concerns relating to flooding have been addressed.
The letter to Mr Brian, seen by the PA, read: “Subsequent to the [TSN], some local residents ... asked to address the KCC meeting of April 5. At that meeting they spoke about concerns they have with the development.
“While their concerns were many, the two key topics they raised regarded transport infrastructure and the environmental impact. They indicated that the relevant documents submitted by Persimmon were of poor quality and one could imply that they were light touch.
Work was under last month at the western end of the field adjacent to the A922 between the existing Lathro Park housing area and Lathro Farm. This has since ceased Pic: Aerial Photography Solutions
“One resident highlighted “The main concern is around significant concerns with transport unintended, but easily foreseeable, infrastructure. It was noted that consequences that could arise there was no model of transport should the TSN be lifted before the flows for Kinross-shire and he completion of the transportation referenced opinions of colleagues model. ... to the effect that the submission “If ... work at Lathro Farm was of poor quality. has continued but the model
“They highlighted poor recommends significant transport assumptions in the submission on mitigation measures, it might the number of cars and that there be very costly to retrospectively was no queue time assessment at correct. Indeed, there may key junctions - particularly around be circumstances where it is the Loch Leven Community impossible to rectify. Campus/Loch Leven Health “It would be better to delay the Centre. development until mitigation
“We understand from ward measures are fully scoped and councillors that the council are can be built alongside the actual now developing a model and that development itself. there has been a commitment “Turning to the environment, gained that Persimmon will fund the major concern is around the any mitigation measures required. flooding impact. Residents noted the water table level in the area and that developments can have knockon impacts on flooding elsewhere in the locality.
“They highlighted the site has a number of mature trees and quoted statistics on the number of gallons of water mature trees can consume daily, which mitigates against flooding.
“It is not unrealistic to imagine a situation where mature trees are removed. As PKC’s enforcement resources are tight (we understand) that could easily occur.”
The group then goes on in its letter to request the council consider extra monitoring of the site and Tree Preservation Orders are placed on the mature trees.
Mr Brian has since replied to KCC saying in correspondence seen by the PA: “I appreciate the support of the Kinross CC in the action taken by this office in serving a TSN on the Lathro Farm development.
“This will remain in place until such time as we are satisfied that the developer has met all of their obligations regarding pre-start conditions.
“In addition, all of the other points referred to in relation to Lathro Farm will be fully considered and a separate response sent on these.
“Similarly, the wider issue of infrastructure capacities in Kinross ... will be responded to separately.
“I can assure you that this development is being closely monitored and will continue to be so.”
Persimmon Homes have previously pledged to work alongside PKC to restart works “as soon as possible.”
Managing director Ian Innes said: “[This] development will bring much-needed two, three, four and five bedroom homes to the town as well as affordable housing and we will recommence works on the council’s go ahead.”