Council looking at Scone development
A community group raised a number of concerns
Perth and Kinross Council has said it is “actively investigating” a string of complaints relating to building work being carried out at a controversial housing development north of Scone.
Scone and District Community Council (SDCC) has written to PKC several times asking staff to investigate whether A and J Stephen Builders have breached planning conditions set when councillors approved their Scone North scheme two years ago.
The group believes builders have breached a condition saying workers would only be permitted to access the site with vehicles via the A93 at Balboughty Farm, as staff have been observed moving on and off the site via another access on Stormont Road.
Members reckon builders have also failed to meet another condition obligating A and J Stephen to form a pedestrian route along Harper Way which would allow people to access any part of the new development on foot.
They have also raised complaints about builders allegedly working outwith the agreed development boundary of the first phase of the planned 700 home scheme.
The complaints were aired at the most recent online meeting of the community council during which the group’s planning convener Donald McKerracher said drainage now also appears to be becoming an issue at the site.
One meeting attendee claimed parts of the development she observed over the last few weeks appeared at times to be “floating” on water said to be lying across the area.
Attendees also heard complaints had been made workers had left pumps running noisily overnight in an effort to drain the water.
The complaints emerge at a time A and J Stephen is seeking official permission to move onto a second phase of the planned development.
The company’s latest planning application has drawn eight objections from locals, some of whom have also raised concerns about drainage becoming a problem on the site.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said this week: “We have responded in detail to SDCC and continue actively investigating their complaints to determine what action, if any, is needed.
“We will keep all interested parties informed on the process and outcome.”
A spokesperson for A and J Stephen said: “SDCC have made allegations over many months concerning our development and continue to do so.
“PKC are obliged to investigate these complaints and consequently are forced to repeatedly spend time and effort responding to SDCC about these alleged breaches.
“To date, PKC have concluded that no enforcement action is necessary.”
We have responded in depth to the complaints and are investigating the matter...