Controversial 117-homes plan withdrawn

A planning application relating to the development of 117 houses near Blairgowrie Community Campus was withdrawn at a planning meeting this week.

Members of Perthshire and Kinross Council’s planning and development management committee were expected to consider certain aspects of the application by Stewart Milne Homes in relation to land off Maple Place on Wednesday.

However the ‘approval of matters’ document was removed from the agenda shortly before the gathering of elected members to allow a recently-submitted transport assessment to be considered.

Local authority officers will view the findings before re-submitting the report for consideration by the committee.

The wider proposal for the 5.7 hectare site – between the east Perthshire town’s Maple Place in Piggy Lane – includes the potential for 20 terraced houses, 34 semi-detached houses and 63 detached dwellings, as well associated garages and roads.

The bid has been the subject of 24 objections, including one from Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council.

Among complaints was a claim there had been no consultation, a claim disputed by Milne Homes who said they had held events for the community.

John Low, managing director of Stewart Milne Homes, said the proposal could create more jobs in the area.

He added: “Land for new housing in Blairgowrie was identified by Perth and Kinross Council in response to significant demand for housing and economic regeneration in the region.

“Our proposals for Blairgowrie are aligned with this planned expansion of the town.

“The land in question is within an existing development plan, which has already been approved by Perth and Kinross Council and zoned for residential development.

“As with all our Stewart Milne Home developments, we are committed to carefully considering the location and the mix of housing types required to support the economic objectives of the region, as well as the needs of the new residents and wider community.

He added: “The new high-quality homes proposed for Blairgowrie are to be designed in a style that is consistent with neighbouring dwellings, and the homes and infrastructure put forward in our proposals will be delivered with a phased approach, with homes due to be built over a number of years.”