New housing estate planned for village’s eastern edge

A new housing estate could be built on the outskirts of a Perthshire village.

Developer Haddon Homes has submitted plans for 42 new properties on the eastern edge of Abernethy.

The village is home to around 1,500 residents. Haddon says any population growth would help to safeguard the future of local services.

It is proposing a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached homes, with 10 earmarked as affordable housing.

In a report, it says the 3.5acre site is not being used to its full potential as agricultural land and the village would benefit from new housing.

The report says: “The site is currently laid to grass and is used primarily for sheep grazing. Farming the land is not economical due to its restricted size, proportions and access for farm vehicles.

“In our opinion we feel that this site represents a wholly appropriate and sustainable location for a residential development.”

The report adds: “Whilst there has been reasonable population growth, the (village) facilities rely to a certain extent on passing trade to survive.

“It is apparent that an increase in the residential population will therefore improve the viability of the local services and services.

“The residential market is physically strong enough to support a development of this moderate scale.

“There is very little infrastructure required and this can be provided realistically by the developer and other parties involved.”

The plans are now with Perth and Kinross council officials, who will decide their fate in the coming weeks.