Fresh bid to create cemetery is lodged

A landowner has revived a thwarted bid to create a new cemetery in the Carse of Gowrie.

Last year council officers refused a proposal put forward by Andrew Threipland to form the cemetery plus a columbarium and car park on land north of Rait as they judged the development would spoil the surrounding landscape.

They also raised concerns Mr Threipland’s plans to perform burials on land near Fingask Castle, known locally as Witches Knowe, would draw too many mourners to the area over time and they would clog up nearby roads with cars.

Now Mr Threipland has filed a fresh application seeking permission to form the cemetery a little further west from the rural road which runs past the site to make the development less visible to villagers and passersby.

Council officers said of Mr Threipland’s previous proposal in a report produced last year: “[Council planning guidance] recognises that the southern flank of the Sidlaw Hills [and] the Braes of the Carse retain an important relationship with the adjacent Carse of Gowrie.

“This transition between Carse and igneous hills is particularly sensitive and the proposed works to form the access, road and parking infrastructure constitute a substantial engineering intervention into this rural landscape.

“Due to the flat nature of the Carse, there would be long-range views towards the site from the south and the proposed works would detract from the area’s landscape, visual and scenic qualities.”

The officers added: “While it is appreciated burials will be spread out over many years ... even a fairly modest level of traffic and parking in this rural area would have a significant effect on the character of the area, especially if this resulted in overspill parking on the narrow C401.”

Now a new design statement sent to PKC along with the latest planning application has again stressed Mr Threipland’s previously stated belief his proposal will have a “minimal” effect on local traffic flows.

It says: “With the revised location there is less impact on the houses in the village of Rait than the initial application – some 400m away- and now not visible in the bowl of Witches Knowe.

“The only house effected is the Garden Cottage which is in the ownership of the applicant.

“The site cannot be seen from North Lodge which the other side of the road from the entrance to Fingask Castle.

“The amount of additional traffic would be minimal.

“It is not envisaged that there will be more than two internments per week and limited to 100 per annum.

“All the traffic generated by this use will all be passenger vehicles as opposed to farm or heavy machinery.”

The application awaits further comment from consultees and the general public.