Neighbours in planning battle against Souter

STAGECOACH tycoon Sir Brian Souter is facing a battle with neighbours over plans to build a road near his mansion.

The 62-year-old wants to have an access route built which will link to fields he owns at the back of his home in Perth.

The project would involve the demolition of a garage and construction of a bridge over a burn.

However, concerns have been raised by residents that the road would be an ‘eyesore’ which would create traffic chaos and harm the character of the upmarket area.

They also say the plans will affect their privacy and fear it could lead to houses being built at the site, known as Bellwood Fields.

Sir Brian bought Bellwood House, a Georgian mansion, and its surrounding land for more than £1.3million in 2010. Six neighbours have objected to his proposals after they were submitted to Perth and Kinross Council in February.

Martin Doherty wrote: ‘The application is for an access road, however there is no further information detailed as to why this access is being made. This is therefore of concern to me as a resident for the future of Bellwood Fields.’ Another local, John Ashworth, wrote: ‘The construction of a road would require felling of mature trees and disruption to the burn that flows directly into the River Tay.

‘There is no detail on the intended use of the fields if access is created. The fields were previously described as Areas of Great Landscape value and should be subject to a Section 75 agreement to ensure they are not considered for any future development.’

Residents said the work could affect wildlife including deer, red squirrels, bats and birds.

Council development officer Katie Briggs has also raised concerns about the project.

She said: ‘The engineering operations involved in forming the new access road and bridge through a residential area would involve the close proximity of an access road to houses and if it involves significant loss of trees this could seriously impair the visual and residential amenity of the neighbouring properties and seriously harm the character of the area.’

The council is due to decide on the application later this month.