Appeal to revive controversial Bankfoot flats proposal

Rejected plans to build nine flats at an eyesore plot in Bankfoot could be revived.

Developers have appealed to the Scottish Government after councillors kicked out proposals to transform a gap site on Main Street.

Members of Perth and Kinross Council’s development management committee ruled in November that the threestorey block would be too close to a neighbouring house and would not “complement its surroundings”.

Now agents for developer Clark Taylor have written to Holyrood’s planning and environmental appeals division, calling for the decision to be overturned.

In a statement issued on behalf of Mr Taylor, chartered town planner John Culbert said: “I am satisfied that the proposed development has been carefully designed with the cooperation and help of planning officials to fit this infill site, while at the same time blending in with the essential characteristics of the street scene.”

“A refusal based entirely on a 300mm gap between existing and proposed gables is a totally unreasonable stance.”

Mr Taylor has also asked for an award of expenses. “Regrettably, in this case the council have acted in an unreasonable manner, against the professional advice of its own planning staff and without offering any objective justification, the decision was taken to refuse planning permission where there were no valid planning grounds for doing so. This has added unnecessary delays and mounting costs to the project.”

Auchtergarven Community Council objected to the proposal, raising concerns about the scale of the building.