Permission granted for new church
A religious group has secured permission to build a new church on a site in Bridge of Earn despite neighbours warning planners about persistent flooding in the area.
Perth Gospel Trust applied for consent to create a new place of worship for its members on land off Old Edinburgh Road, south of the Perth to Edinburgh railway line, last year.
But the bid drew several objections during a public consultation.
Planning consultants acting for the trust told PKC in a supporting statement: “The hall will be used for Holy Communion [on Sundays] … a Monday evening prayer meeting … and then less frequently on a Friday … for a Bible reading. No other social gatherings or any other use is proposed.”
The consultants, Gray Planning and Development, went on to admit in the supporting statement the site “is susceptible to flooding and surface water drainage constraints” but said a second team of consultants from the Waterman Group had proposed mitigation measures “for reducing the risk”.
However, one objector told PKC: “We at Old Edinburgh Road [have] flooded twice since 2015 and the road is renowned for flooding.
“The existing infrastructure … is not coping with surface water … nor is the sewage system as was [proven] in the very recent past, let alone adding more load to it.
“Our garden is always soaking wet and waterlogged when it rains due to the poor quality of water percolation and high water table which makes the soakaway system ineffective.”
And another local told PKC: “I find it inconceivable that any development could be allowed on this land until the flooding issue has been proved to have been solved.
“The planning application shows a large hard surface parking area which would significantly increase the surface water runoff into Old Edinburgh Road resulting in a major increase to the flooding risk of the [previously] affected properties.
“The … application states there is little flood risk to the proposed development but surely the impact on neighbouring properties must be considered.”
But the local authority has now concluded the proposed development will not put nearby residents at greater risk of flooding and has approved the trust’s application.
Officials said in a report of handling: “There have been a number of objections with regard to flooding issues.
“It is suggested by objectors that the drainage will increase flood risk to the road and other properties.
“However, following extensive investigation and the fact that the road and parking areas will be permeable to allow water to infiltrate directly into the soil, it is not anticipated that any surface water will flow onto Old Edinburgh Road.
“It is also noted that the building will be constructed above the flood plain. Therefore, there is no increase in flood risk to local residents.”