Rowing club bid unlikely to be sunk
Scheme for HQ looks set to get OK
Club Tay Rowing A Perth rowing club’s bid to build a new clubhouse looks set to be approved despite more than a dozen locals objecting to the scheme.
The Tay Rowing Club (TRC) wants to create a two-storey building with club rooms, changing rooms/ bathrooms and storage areas on greenbelt land at Sleepless Inch on the banks of the Tay opposite Walnut Grove.
But people living nearby reckon the group’s application should be refused, saying there is already too much traffic going back and forth on a local single track road and the area is also plagued with flooding problems.
“There has been a significant increase in vehicle movements per day on a single track road of 10 feet width,” said one of several local objectors. “This is a serious health and safety risk - we have had to stop members of my family playing or walking near the road.
“We have had many significant near-misses and I believe it is only a question of time until a serious accident or, at worst, a fatality will be caused.
“The proposed boat house traffic ... would add to the problems and increase the risk. Indeed, I was very surprised that they would consider this a safe site to operate from as when they will need to cross the road carrying very long boats where the visibility can be restricted.”
Another objector wrote: “It is impossible to get insurance against flooding at this location for which there is good reason. It may be that less informed companies would grant insurance. In the light of this I am frankly surprised that SEPA have not cautioned in this regard and I can only assume that they have completed a minimal desk exercise and have not personally observed the regular flooding.”
Meanwhile 18 locals also signed a petition protesting the application stating the proposed development is in a “high risk flooding area”.
“Most of the residents have seen the area flooded and impassable to vehicles,” the petition says.
Nevertheless Perth and Kinross Council’s interim development quality manager Anne Condliffe has recommended councillors approve the application tomorrow, stating in her report of handling its staff were unconvinced the proposed development would cause any harm.
“Given the extent of objections on roads access and road safety grounds transport planning were asked to review the application again,” she says. “A copy of [a] video submitted by one of the objectors was also provided to transport planning.
“Their stance on the scheme remains unaltered, no objection is offered. Accordingly, significant weight is attached to this consultation response and on this basis, in so far as roads matters are concerned, the proposed development does not conflict with [transport and accessibility] policy.”
Turning to the concerns raised about flooding she adds: “The TRC are aware of the potential flooding issue and appropriate precautions have been incorporated into their scheme. This includes the construction of the ground storey in water resistant materials and adopting a flood emergency procedure for the club.”