The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Plans to transform former hospital in Perth meet with opposition.
OBJECTIONS: Proposals to develop hospital and its grounds meet opposition from residents
Multi-million-pound plans to transform an abandoned Perthshire hospital have been described as a “gross over-development” which could lead to more traffic misery.
The ambitious masterplan for the Murray Royal building, which was unveiled earlier this year, is facing a backlash from locals.
Developers want to convert the old hospital into 58 flats and build 70 new houses in the grounds.
The 22-acre site, between Kinnoull Hill and the redeveloped new hospital facilities, is one of the last greenfield plots in Perth.
But the project, led by owners Rivertree Residential, has come up against opposition from residents.
Objectors are calling for the plan to be rejected because they believe it will cause major traffic and congestion problems.
The Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council has lodged a formal objection with planning chiefs.
A spokesman for the group said the 70 homes planned for the hospital grounds were a “gross over-development”.
He said the plan would lead to gridlocked traffic on roads, particularly the Bridgend junction.
“This area currently fails to meet air quality standards and the proposed development will impact negatively on the health of vulnerable individuals in our community,” he said.
“The Cross Tay Link road (connecting Scone with the A9) will remove some traffic from the Bridgend junction, but the major housing developments that are proposed in conjunction with this route could retain or even aggrevate the status quo.”
Former councillor Norman Renfrew has also objected.
“This development is in an area of substandard road access, narrow streets – some with no pavements – and junctions already over-capacity,” said Mr Renfrew.
“Perth and Kinross Council has approved the building of hundreds of houses in and around Perth without any study of the implications on the flow of traffic and atmospheric pollution.”
He said the local authority needed to launch a Perth traffic study.
Objectors have questioned a transport assessment submitted on behalf of the developers which suggests “minimal impact” on local roads.
Agents for Rivertree Residential said the masterplan “has evolved to respond to the constraints and opportunities across the site, and is considered to achieve development potential whilst protecting the existing sensitive features of the historic hospital building and its landscape surroundings.”
The plans are expected to go before councillors for a final decision later this year.
This development is in an area of substandard road access, narrow streets – some with no pavements – and junctions already overcapacity