Probe into planning decision a possibility

Minister has been briefed on the decision taken only days after local election

Scottish Parliament legislation could be used to investigate a planning office’s handling of a highly controversial housing plan.

Campaigners fighting the divisive Scone North development were left outraged by Perth and Kinross Council’s decision to put the application before newly-elected councillors.

Members of the development management committee – more than half of whom were just days into the job – approved the 700-house development despite fears it could lead to major congestion and pollution problems.

Now local government and housing minister Kevin Stewart has been briefed on the row and has discussed the possibility of carrying out a probe into the planning department’s decision to hold the meeting so soon after the local election.

Local MSP Pete Wishart, who has called for such an inquiry, met Mr Stewart on behalf of local residents.

He said: “This was a really useful meeting which allowed me to put the views of Scone residents across to the minister.

“I was able to discuss my concerns about such a new planning management committee taking the decision to approve this application, amongst many other issues.”

He added: “The minister is aware of the many issues surrounding this application but is somewhat constrained given the application is still ‘live’.

“Reassuringly, there is the opportunity within the Planning (Scotland) Act 2006 for an assessment of Perth and Kinross Council Planning Authority’s performance and decision making.

“I am very much looking forward to receiving the minister’s full response to the concerns raised.”

Opponents argued that last month’s talks only gave new councillors a matter of days to digest more than 1,400 pages of paperwork and in the region of 900 written complaints.

Two SNP councillors stepped out of the meeting claiming they had not had enough training to deal with the application.

The committee eventually voted eightthree in favour of the plan, however a strict construction embargo was put in place, stating that only 100 homes can be built before work begins on the Cross Tay Link Road, which will connect the A9 to the north of Scone.

Committee members were told that postponing a decision would prompt developers A&J Stephen to submit an appeal to Scottish ministers, effectively taking control away from the local authority.

This was a really useful meeting which allowed me to put the views of Scone residents across to the minister. PETE WISHART MP

MP Pete Wishart says housing minister Kevin Stewart is now aware of the issues.