Fair City building for a brighter future

The scale of ambition being proposed by Perth and Kinross Council in its West Perth development is to be commended. Thanks to the major infrastructure project which is creating a new junction on the western edge of the city, swathes of development land have been opened up.

Scotland’s first completely new secondary school to be built in nearly quarter of a century is already being created at Bertha Park, servicing hundreds of new houses.

Subject to the ever-present caveats over funding, the scope of the scheme has been widened in a way which could transform the Fair City.

A hotel, leisure complex, business park and distribution centre will bring jobs and wealth and help drive the muchneeded demographic shift.

So much of the focus in Tayside has been on Dundee’s economic and cultural renaissance that its near-neighbour down the Tay has been able to quietly put in place the blocks needed for its own rejuvenation.

It is positive, too, the announcement of the plans met with cross-party council support – it is needed to keep such complex and large-scale projects on course.

As with Dundee’s waterfront development “ripple effect”, wider Perthshire should expect to feel the benefits of the work.

After years treading water, it feels as if the city of Perth is finally moving forward again.