Call for halt on homes project as school centrepiece ignored

A failure to restore the former Kinross High School as the centrepiece of a major housing development in the town has caused anger locally.

Kinross-shire Civic Trust is among those calling for a halt to the 91-home Persimmon Homes project until the work is carried out.

A spokesperson for the group said it had consistently campaigned for the Edwardian element of the old school to be retained – and it was totally unacceptable that developers had failed to stick to the agreed preservation.

The group said it was also highly concerned that newbuild properties on the site already had people living in them, since this went against a planning condition that the old school building should be fully restored before any of the units could be occupied.

“This situation suggests to us that Perth and Kinross Council has failed to exercise adequate control by ensuring agreed planning conditions are met,” added the spokesperson.

Kinross Community Council is also demanding a temporary stop to the project until the issues are resolved.

A council spokesperson said representatives had met developers to discuss the breach of condition regarding the timing of restoration works to the school and had also taken legal advice.

“The council cannot withhold completion certificates issued under building standards legislation for the new build houses to achieve compliance with a planning condition,” they said.

“It can and will use planning enforcement powers if necessary to ensure compliance.”

Persimmon Homes was unavailable for comment on the allegations.