Pressing on with plans
Developers behind controversial plans for a huge development on the outskirts of Blairgowrie have reiterated their commitment to the project despite delays caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.
And they say work could begin on the site on the south western edge of the town in a matter of weeks.
The Westpark Partnership received planning permission from Perth and Kinross Council to build two large retail outlets on the A93 approach road to the east Perthshire town - the start of the popular Snow Road - in January this year.
Plans for a‘neighbourhood centre’ consisting of a parade of smaller business units were also included in the application.
The proposals are the first part of a wider development which could see hundreds of new houses, a potential new school and a care home phased in over a number of years on a 74-acre site off the town’s Perth Road, stretching from Ardblair to Newton Castle.
Approval of the wider plans in principle was given by the local authority in 2018.
Since then, retail giants Lidl and Home Bargains have reportedly signed-up to open premises in the town.
Work on the first phase of the project, comprising a Lidl, Home Bargains and three equally-sized conjoined neighbourhood centre units of 130 sqm each, was due to have got under way this year.
And three access points from the A93, including a right-hand turn lane for southbound traffic on the road and a pedestrian crossing, were also due to be in place before the first retail unit.
It had previously been reported that the Lidl store could have been open by December this year.
However, Derek Pirouet from Edinburgh-based architects Yeoman McAllister, acting on behalf of the developers, said that“uncertainties” surrounding the coronavirus pandemic had delayed the project.
Speaking to our sister title the Blairgowrie Advertiser, he said:“As you shall appreciate, our clients have experienced delays on this project due to the COVID virus uncertainties, but we are pleased to advise all parties are keen to accelerate and manoeuvre as quickly as possible to instruct site operations.
“Our client remains committed to this project and to the wider investment within Blairgowrie to boost the local economy and generate employment opportunities in these recent challenging times.
“We are addressing a couple of matters regarding the pre-start planning conditions which shall hopefully allow the works associated with the retail delivery to proceed onto site later this year, circa mid-October, subject to securing the final technical approvals from statutory bodies.
“We have also been in discussions with Perth and Kinross Council to finalise the private and social housing of the initial phases adjacent to the retail and commercial element, and seek to commence construction works in tandem with the commercial works.”