Developer resurrects controversial plan for Perthshire ‘eco-camp’

Businessman behind idea believes revised proposals for campsite would benefit tourism in the area

A controversial plan to create an “ecocamp” in Perthshire has been resurrected.

The new application for land at Kinvaid Farm, Moneydie, is considerably smaller than the previous proposal, which attracted 20 objections from locals.

Developer Steven Mackie said he had sought to address concerns about light pollution, noise and access issues and believed the campsite would provide a tourism boost for the area.

The revised application to Perth and Kinross Council is for 15 camping pods and five timber holiday lodges, as well as car parking, a reception/maintenance building and security gates.

The previous bid was for 60 tent pitches, 25 camping pods and eight holiday lodges.

Mr Mackie, who runs Eco Camp Scotland Ltd, said the pods would create less noise nuisance than tents and tree cover would help to shield the site and its lights from neighbouring homes.

“I’ve researched the eco-camp idea and camping pods is definitely a growth market these days,” he said.

“People who come here will get the best of both worlds by having the seclusion of being in the middle of nowhere but also just six miles from Perth city centre.

“This would allow people to visit the cafés, restaurants and tourist spots in Perth while staying at Moneydie.

“We’re also close to the A9 so visitors can travel to tourist spots in the area and we’re located beside a cycle track so people can either cycle to Dundee or Pitlochry.”

He admitted he may have been “naive” about the scale of the last proposal and the potential for disturbance but promised he wanted to work with neighbours to make a success of the scheme.

“The latest submitted plan includes us utilising tree cover in the area, so the camp site won’t be too visible to neighbouring houses. This will also dampen any issues of light pollution,” he said.

“Residents had also raised concerns about noise so I’ve ditched the plans for tents. I am not as naive as I was when the first plan was lodged, but like everything in life, it’s all a learning curve.”

People who come here will get the best of both worlds by having the seclusion of being in the middle of nowhere but also just six miles from Perth city centre. STEVEN MACKIE