Plans unveiled for affordable housing

Application lodged following consultation with the community

Plans for a multi-million-pound affordable housing development in Perth have been lodged with the council.

Following an extensive consultation with the local community, the Gannochy Trust has made a full planning application for the development of 48 houses within the existing Gannochy Estate in the city.

The exact cost of the project has not been revealed but the housing development plans are described as “a key part of an anticipated £25 million of investment by the trust in the Perth and Kinross area over the next five years”.

The project is part of Perth’s legacy from the whisky industry and was initiated in 2012 to mark the Gannochy Trust’s 75th anniversary when the trustees decided to develop and extend the housing estate that was laid out between 1923 and 1931 by Arthur Kinmond Bell, the trust’s founder.

It has been designed to meet the requirements of all age groups and levels of ability while helping to generate a sense of community.

The trust’s chairman, Dr James Kynaston, said: “We were very encouraged to receive positive, constructive feedback from the community during our consultation period which helped shape the final proposal which we’ve submitted to Perth and Kinross Council.

“We are particularly proud to confirm that the key themes of the housing development underpin AK Bell’s original ethos while ensuring we provide the people of Perth with high-quality affordable housing.

“Our application sets out the development of a lifetime neighbourhood, the provision of healthy homes for life, and the development of community greenspace and improved access to the countryside.”

The final plans from the Gannochy Trust propose 38 two-bedroom homes, six one-bedroom homes and four fully wheelchair accessible three-bedroom homes.

This complements the trust’s current stock with better provision for individuals, couples and small families.

During their initial research, the trust found a growing body of evidence to suggest that modern housing is not delivering acceptable indoor air quality.

This prompted them into co-funding work with the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre for the Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit at Glasgow School of Art to investigate potential solutions to this issue.

Weare particularly proud to confirm that the key themes of the housing development underpin AK Bell’s original ethos while ensuring we provide the people of Perth with high-quality affordable housing. DR JAMES KYNASTON