NEW HOMES SET TO RISE

Council proposals for development sites in Strathearn

Hundreds more homes could be built on sites set aside for far fewer houses five years ago if proposed changes to the council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) go unchallenged.

The proposed LDP2, which will be used to inform decisions on developments in Strathearn for the next five years once it is agreed, recommends increasing the number of houses that can be built on a number of sites already identified as suitable for large housing developments.

It is being suggested that a site at Broich Road in Crieff could hold up to 639 houses instead of approximately 300 as is stipulated in the current plan.

In Comrie, the Cowden Road site is earmarked for a maximum of 30 houses in the current plan but in the proposed new plan that number increases to between 33 and 52 houses.

And in Dunning, the site at Auchterarder Road, currently earmarked as being suitable for 50 houses, could contain up to 63 new homes in the new plan.

In addition to these increases, PKC planners have also recommended a number of new sites be added to the next LDP, including one at North West Kirkton at Auchterarder which the document says could end up accommodating anywhere between 83 and 128 new homes in the future.

These new recommended

housing number “ranges” have been introduced in response to the disputes that arise when developers apply to build more houses on sites than the LDP allows.

Council leader Ian Campbell told a meeting last week: “Despite the long-term approach in LDP1, most recent projections require additional land allocation in both Strathearn and Strathmore.

“The plan identifies strategic allocations in Blairgowrie, Crieff and Auchterarder which meet these requirements.

“As with the Perth area these strategic sites are likely to meet development needs beyond the plan period.”

He added: “The new approach in the LDP indicates a density range. Hopefully with future applications it will be the exception rather than the norm that the housing number in the LDP is exceeded.”

The consultation on the proposed LDP2 starts on Friday and will end on February 2.

The proposed LDP2 will be available online at www.pkc. gov.uk/proposedLDP2. The website contains information on how to comment , background documents and a summary of the proposals.

A series of drop-in events throughout Perthshire are being held to give residents the opportunity to see the main policy changes and site proposals in their area and to talk to council planning officers.

A session will be held in the Aytoun Hall in Auchterarder on Thursday, December 7 from 3pm to 8pm. A further session will be held in Crieff on Saturday, January 20, from 11am to 3pm at Strathearn Community Campus.