Politicians wade into Perthshire housing development row

Support for local residents concerned about plan for 71 new homes

Two Scottish Conservative politicians have become involved in a row over a planned housing development for east Perthshire.

Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, and Councillor Caroline Shiers are both seeking assurances regarding various concerns raised by local residents in relation to Stewart Milne’s 71 affordable homes plan for Moyness Park in Blairgowrie.

The former has written to the local authority to outline issues raised by residents.

The housing firms want to build houses in Blackthorn Place but the proposed development has already raised the ire of some local residents who are concerned about the number of properties proposed for the site and possible traffic issues that may arise.

And now Mr Fraser and Ms Shiers have stated they want Perth and Kinross Council to listen to the concerns of their constituents.

Mr Fraser said: “Local residents have legitimate fears over the size, density and flood prevention strategy of the project and these concerns must be properly heard by council planners.

“Everyone is aware that there is a housing shortage across Scotland and this challenge must be met head on.

“However, throwing up new homes that are ill-suited to the area is not the answer.”

He continued: “It’s important to ensure that council planners are fully aware of the scale of local opinion and are able to assuage their concerns on congestion and flooding.

“Council planners can’t act within a vacuum and I would hope that they fully consult with local people following my intervention.”

And Councillor Shiers, one of the representatives for the Blairgowrie and the Glens ward, added: “I have had a number of meetings with officers regarding this site and still remain concerned at the density of the proposals along with on-going issues regarding traffic in the vicinity of the campus.”

However, Tony Maric, a transport planning officer with Perth and Kinross Council, said he has looked at the implications for traffic and parking at Moyness Park and said he is “satisfied” with Stewart Milne’s transport assessment.

“I am satisfied that the transport assessment provides a robust indication of the traffic implications of this development, and I am satisfied that the local transport network would not suffer any significant adverse effects as a result of this proposal,” he said.

“Throwing up new homes that are ill-suited to the area is not the answer. MSP MURDO FRASER