Objections to eco camp bid

Scaled-down plan sparks gripes

Scaled-down plans to create a new ‘eco campsite’ near Luncarty have been met with more than a dozen objections.

It is the second time Eco Camp Scotland has applied to site a mixture of timber clad camping pods and luxury lodges at Kinvaid Farm north of Moneydie as the company previously withdrew its first after it received 21 objections.

On this occasion, the firm has applied for permission to site 15 camping pods and five threebedroom lodges within a much smaller area whereas before it was asking to site 25 camping pods and eight lodges as well as create up to 80 camping pitches, toilets, cooking facilities and a children’s play park area.

In a supporting statement the company says it considers its proposal to be “visually appropriate and in keeping with the local character” and “a contemporary, high quality approach to rural holidaying in Perth and Kinross”.

But 17 residents have sent objections to PKC planners so far with one suggesting the term “eco campsite” was disingenuous.

“Despite constant use in the submission of ‘eco campsite’ this is a complete misnomer,” the resident wrote. “There is no camping proposed. This is a large-scale property development involving the erection of 20+ permanent buildings, 30 car parking spaces and associated roads etc. This is not environmentally friendly however the applicant wishes to frame it.”

Another resident wrote: “I object to the use of agricultural land in a rural environment being redeveloped and turned into a commercial site. It is outwith the natural scenery of the location.

“The proposed site also has no local bus route thus will dramatically increase the volume of traffic on this route which is an unclassified road and already suffers from overuse.”

And a third resident wrote: “A development of this magnitude can only have a negative impact on our small quiet rural community and will significantly change lives, especially for those that border the site.

“It is, therefore, very disappointing that a development of this nature can apparently go through the planning process without the need for any neighbourhood notifications or any consultation with the very community that it will potentially destroy - this strikes me as very unfair and surely not good planning policy.

“Thankfully we stumbled upon this application in time to object.”

It is likely the application will now have to be determined by councillors in due course.