Backing despite MSP’s intervention

Perthshire North MSP John Swinney had urged councillors to defer making a decision on the poultry farm after concerns that residents were not properly consulted.

The Deputy First Minister was briefed on concerns about the application when he met objectors at a recent surgery.

In an unusual move, Mr Swinney wrote to the council’s head of planning and explained that none of the residents he spoke to were notified about the proposal, despite living within 1 to 2km of the site.

“This is due to the fact that the adjoining land within the scope of the neighbour notification is all owned by those on whose land the proposed development will take place,” he wrote.

“It appears that this approach may satisfy the letter of the planning process, but I do not believe it satisfies the spirit of the process.”

The letter, which was passed to all committee members, went on: “In light of the significant issues in relation to the consultation process, I believe there is a strong case for this application to be deferred.”

However, planning chief Nick Brian told the meeting: “We are satisfied that the appropriate notification process has been undertaken.”

Speaking after the talks, objector Scott Massie, who manages the Tullybelton Estate, said: “We are just appalled. It had been going so well, until the convener (Tom Gray) began speaking about another farm in a completely different area.

“This just glosses over all of the points we were raising about this specific application.”

The farm will have three poultry units for around 43,500 birds.

The committee heard that all manure would be dried, stored in a shed and regularly emptied.

However, agent Andrew Wood admitted there would be “some smell” during the drying process.

It had been going so well, until the convener began speaking about a farm in a completely different area. SCOTT MASSIE