Land purchase bid
Villagers want to keep area as open space
Perthshire villagers are considering a community buyout to protect a large parcel of land used for walk and play from developers.
Greenbelt Energy has asked agents to try and sell an area popular with locals stretching from Janet Forbes Avenue to the end of Mary Findlay Drive in Longforgan.
Residents now fear it could be snapped up by housebuilders.
It comes not long after Perth and Kinross Council refused to grant Carse Developments consent to build a house close by shortly after its greenspace team said that all public open space in the area ought to be retained “in its entirety”.
Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey criticised Greenbelt Energy’s agents attempt to market the land online as an “excellent investment opportunity”.
The Scottish Labour councillor said many locals believe the land was supposed to be left to them so it would be used for recreational purposes only.
He told the PA: “This company holds responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the amenity land at Longforgan.
“That it is attempting to sell more of it off and has the gall to promote it as an ‘excellent investment opportunity’ beggars belief.
“Anyone who performs any level of due diligence will hopefully see the planning refusal of the nearby site from earlier this year and steer well clear.
“I have raised the community’s concerns with Greenbelt Energy and I’m also in talks with communityspirited individuals who are interested in clubbing together to acquire the land for the good of the community.”
Adding locals are also concerned that Greenbelt Energy appear to now be neglecting the land they are supposed to maintain in Longforgan, Councillor Bailey went on: “I’d advise anyone buying a new home or a home on a recent development to seek assurances in writing about who will be responsible for the maintenance of the open spaces around the development.”
However, a spokesperson for Greenbelt Energy claimed some of what Councillor Bailey had told the PA was “inaccurate” then went on to say: “Due to interest from residents to acquire additional land on this development, we have opted to offer it through auction – this is wholly appropriate and the fairest way to allow this purchase to happen for local people.
“It is now up to the residents to focus on taking advantage of this offer – if they want the land, it is readily available to them.
“On the question of the wording ‘excellent investment opportunity’ used by the estate agent, the area has obvious inherent value as open space amenity land – reflected in the residents’ desire to purchase it.
“With regards to the comments made by the local councillor, it’s of concern an elected official does not know it is his own council and planning authority who have the sole authority to determine any future use of the land.
“To be clear: any changes of the use of land would have to be agreed by the councillor’s own council planning office. It would be reassuring for everyone involved if the councillor acknowledged this.
“With regard to general policies on responsibilities of open spaces around new developments in Scotland, it is encouraging that the local planning authority can make the definition of land that is private or is publicly owned Alasdair Bailey with residents who want the land kept as open space by the council. The most important consideration here is whether the local community opts to acquire the land or not and we would urge the councillor to assist by offering guidance for residents in this matter – rather than, counterproductively, criticising Greenbelt Energy for the proposed sale through local media.
“[In the] meantime, [we] will continue to look after these areas for residents entirely at our own expense.”