Consultation plan for troubled scheme Council confirms Lathro Meadows‘under review’
Perth and Kinross Council has confirmed it is going to have to consult the public about a controversial application to build more homes at Lathro Meadows in Kinross a second time.
The confirmation comes after the PA obtained correspondence revealing several representatives of applicants Persimmon Homes met PKC officials to discuss the stalled bid on October 1.
The exchanges reveal the company intends to submit a “revised layout” for phase two of the troubled scheme shortly to address concerns PKC raised about their initial designs in August.
In one email seen by the PA, technical director James MacKay also admitted wrangles with PKC officials over “legacy issues” at two other sites in Perth and Kinross which had soured relations.
The October 3 email read: “Jamie [Scott], a brief note of thanks for taking the time with my colleagues and I on [October 1].
“Hopefully we set fully our recognition of our issues which have impacted upon relations with the council, our intention to improve performance and the steps that we are taking to this end.
“I am having a review with my team to close out on any remaining issues at Cherrybank and the high school site with the intention being that we shall present both to your team for a final close out review.
“We recognise the importance of closing out any legacy issues before we can discuss future improvements.
“I am hopeful that we now have a pathway forward to progress the phase two application for Lathro Meadows.
“I understand that you team [sic] are holding an internal review with a view to providing detailed feedback on the proposal.
“I would hope that this feedback could be provided at the earliest opportunity to enable us to initiate works to progress the re-submission which we have mutually agreed with Callum [Petrie] and Steve [Callan] should be targeted for the end of this month.
“As discussed, I would intend that we catch up every six months in order that we have a forum to update on any issues and exchange ideas on how working methods can be improved.”
A council spokesperson commented: “Perth and Kinross Council can confirm that the [Lathro Meadows] application ... remains under review at present, following a pause of six weeks in the determination process during August and September 2019 while further information was sought from the applicant.
“As a result of this, we now anticipate a submission in due course from the applicant of updated details and layout, on the agreed basis that this would include no more dwellings than was proposed in the original application submission.
“Any revised submission would go through the same scrutiny and procedure as any new application, including neighbour notification and reconsultation with all required consultees, and additionally consultation with the NHS.
“Any application would therefore come before a future meeting of the planning and development managements committee during 2020.”