SEPA objects to 49-home plan on site south of Perth

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has objected to plans to build a further 49 homes on the south side of Perth over concerns it could put buildings and people at risk of flooding.

The regulator says it will review its objection to the John Dewar Lamberkin Trust’s application to complete its Cherrybank development once it receives “additional information” relating to a local watercourse and a proposed crossing.

SEPA said: “We have ... been asked to comment on an application for the erection of 49 dwellings and associated infrastructure, which includes a watercourse crossing. A flood risk assessment and drainage strategy dated 2012 has been submitted in support of the application.

“The focus of our comments is for the watercourse. [It] does not appear to be mentioned within the FRA ... therefore we would welcome further information from the applicant which identifies the water-crossing proposal and plans for the watercourse, ie remaining open or culverting.”

Separately it emerged this week SEPA had to ask Perth and Kinross Council for more time to assess a second application filed by the trust earlier this year for a sprawling new development west of Perth.

Last week Transport Scotland confirmed it requested an unlimited amount of extra time to consider the trust’s latest application for the planned Perth West scheme.

The agency said it asked for an extension to the standard 14-day consultation period “to understand the estimated impact of the development on the A9 trunk road and any mitigation proposed”.

Now SEPA has confirmed it too had to request extra time to assess the Perth West proposal due to its complexity, albeit with the intention to submit its response to the plan by the end of this week.

The Trust applied in May for in principle permission to create up to 1500 homes, a business park and a mobility hub west of Broxden roundabout as well as a new grade separated junction on the A9 to access the site from the south.

A SEPA spokesperson told the PA: “On July 13 SEPA was granted an extended deadline from PKC on our response concerning the Perth West planning application and we agreed to submit a response before August 28.

“As this is a large and complex site, SEPA is continuing its discussions with both the council and the applicant to clarify a number of issues.”