Blair Atholl homes proposals

Proposals by Atholl Estates to build eight houses in Blair Atholl are to be considered by national park planners.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has moved to call in the application for the two-bedroomed properties earmarked for a site which is near to the former watermill at Little Orchard.

Atholl Estates wants to build the homes on a former yard site which has remained vacant there for a number of years.

The properties, if built, would contribute to muchneeded affordable housing in the Blair Atholl vicinity.

Under its powers the national park can decide applications which are submitted to local authorities - in this case Perth and Kinross Council - in the first instance.

The CNPA says the scheme ‘raises issues of significance to the aims of the National Park in terms of housing and sustainable design’.

A planning application lodged with PKC shows that the new homes would be built in two groups, with a terrace of six properties and two semi-detached. This will reflect the style in the area.

In a planning statement submitted in support of the scheme it says the properties have been designed to meet Housing for Varying Needs standards, such as easy access, and the applicant intends to rent out the units as low-cost housing with the aid of the Rural Housing Fund to provide affordable accommodation for local residents. Talks are being held between the estates team and the RHF.

Agents for Atholl Estates Denholm Partnership Architects say it would not be viable for a reduction in the number of properties proposed.