Let me build, or buy my land
Landowner’s ultimatum to council
A Glasgow man is demanding Perth and Kinross Council buy land that it refuses to let him build on.
John Munro (85), who owns 600 square metres next to Kinnoull Primary School in Perth, has served notice on PKC chief executive Bernadette Malone, requiring the council to purchase his interest in the land.
Mr Munro claims six decisions taken by PKC to deny him permission to build houses on the site have led to a situation where “the land has become incapable of reasonably beneficial use in its existing state”.
He also claims the former garden ground, south of Witchill in Kinnoull Terrace, “cannot be used beneficially for carrying out any other development for which the local authority or the DPEA has granted permission”.
The council’s interim head of planning Nick Brian rejected Mr Munro’s demand but the dispute has now been referred to the
The land next to Kinnoull Primary School Scottish Government’s planning and environmental appeals division (DPEA) for a decision.
Rejecting Mr Munro’s claim, Mr Brian told him: “There is no other authority or statutory undertaker who will comply with the requirements of your notice.
“The reason why I am not prepared to comply with your request is that the ground to which the notice relates is clearly capable of another beneficial use, ie garden ground relative to either (or both) of the dwellings which occupy Witchill House, which could essentially mean the land reverting back to its original intended use.
“As an alternative the ground could simply continue in its present use as a private amenity area.”
Mr Munro maintains the council should buy his interest in the land or grant him the planning permission that has so far been denied.
The DPEA said a hearing will be scheduled to settle the dispute.
The ground could simply continue in its present use