Residents fight move to double size of village

LUNCARTY: Plan for 650 houses would increase population from 1,600 to 4,000

Villagers are fighting a multi-million-pound housing plan which could more than double the size of Luncarty.

Developers have lodged a bid to build up to 650 houses on the southern edge of the village.

Local firms A&J Stephen and I&H Brown say the move will deliver benefits to the local economy as well as address a need for affordable housing – but the plan is facing a growing backlash.

More than 100 people have complained to council planners, calling for the entire scheme to be scrapped.

They say roads will not cope with the influx of families and the school is almost at capacity.

It is estimated the scheme would increase the population size from 1,600 to nearly 4,000.

Residents are battling to block a huge housing plan which could more than double the size of a Perthshire village.

Luncarty, on the edge of Perth, is bracing itself for a population boom with multi-million-pound proposals for up to 650 new homes.

The development, earmarked for more than 100 acres of farmland to the south of the village, has been put forward by local construction firms A&J Stephen and I&H Brown.

They say the project will deliver much needed affordable housing – about a quarter of the site – and provide space for start-up businesses, creating jobs.

However, the Luncarty South plan is facing a backlash from local residents.

Within weeks of the plans being lodged, Perth and Kinross Council planners have received more than 100 letters and emails of objection, calling for the scheme to be rejected.

Around 40 people attended a meeting with community councillors to explore the impact of the proposal.

Opponents are worried about the effect on local roads and on Luncarty Primary, which is nearing capacity.

It is estimated that 650 homes could boost the existing 1,600 population of the village by nearly 2,000.

Iain Matheson of the Luncarty, Redgorton and Moneydie Community Council said the watchdog group had lodged a formal objection.

He said existing roads around Scarth Road and Fairview would not cope with construction trucks. “Vibrations from heavy traffic are likely to damage foundations, as evidenced at Lochty where similar traffic flows resulted in cracks appearing on houses.”

Mr Matheson said a sharp corner on Scarth Road was “treacherous at the best of times” and likely to be an accident waiting to happen.

He responded to claims by developers that Luncarty School could cope with the first two phases of the five-stage development: “The facilities in the school we understand from parents are at full stretch and simple things like lunch require two sittings to feed all pupils.”

He added parents have suggested, to cope with the influx, children may have to be bussed to different schools.

“The community council do not consider that the development can proceed until important infrastructure like schooling is in place,” Mr Matheson said.

Concerns have also been raised about drainage, the visual impact and wildlife on the site.

There are also worries about potential impact on areas of arcaeological interest, including a possible prehistoric settlement at nearby Wilmarean.

Developers argued that the housing will bring social and economic benefits, improving the range and choice of properties available in the area.

Council planners have received more than 100 letters and emails of objection calling for the scheme tobe rejected

The multi-million-pound proposal could transform the village on the edge of Perthshire.