Builder ordered to make improvements

New homes at Cherrybank deemed too noisy

Councillors have ordered a house builder to make improvements to a new development in Perth.

At a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s planning and development management committee earlier this week, it was agreed to order Bellway Homes to replace the window vents on its new build properties at Cherrybank.

Bellway had to file another planning application with the council after planning bosses received complaints from the new residents about the noise levels coming from the nearby M90.

This is despite the houses only being built in the last two years. Around 60 of the properties are now occupied.

Although the noise levels have been deemed appropriate on the ground floors of the houses, noises on the upper floors - particularly those facing the south side are above an acceptable level because the window vents are not sufficient to keep out the noise.

Anne Condliffe, interim quality development manager at the council, explained the situation at the meeting, which was held in the council chambers on Wednesday, August 29.

She said: “Construction has been completed on a number of units, and we received complaints about the levels of noise as a result of the proximity of the M90 to the south of the site.

“We received the complaint from an occupier of one of the units about the noise within the rooms.

“We had a look at it to make sure they were compliant, but we found the vents were not sufficient to allow compliance with the conditions set.

“So, in certain rooms of the houses, it was too loud and above the levels required by the condition.”

Following on from the investigations, the local authority’s planning bosses served a breach of condition notice on Bellway Homes.

Anne Condliffe continued: “We served a breach of condition notice on developers.

“They did a further noise impact assessment and what has transpired is that the ground floor of almost all the properties is fine because of the acoustics, but on the upper floor levels that fall on the south elevation, the proposal is for all windows to have triple acoustic vents fitted.

“Should anyone say they don’t want the new vents, they will still be handed one so it is in the property for future purchasers.

“It is a way of overcoming the breach previously noted by members.”

Committee convener Cllr Roz McCall (Strathearn) asked her fellow councillors to approve the planning application to modify the acoustic insulation of windows on the Cherrybank houses.

She was seconded by Cllr Willie Wilson (Perth City South), and the application was unanimously approved.