Perth: Plan for supermarket withdrawn as Barratt Homes steps in.

HUNTINGTOWER: Barratt wants to raise 43 houses on the old mart site

Long-standing plans to build a £40 million supermarket on the edge of Perth have finally been killed off.

The retail project, first mooted nearly a decade ago, has been ditched as leading construction firm Barratt Homes sets its sights on the city’s old cattle market site at Huntingtower.

Sainsbury’s had originally staked a claim in the project, saying the new Crieff Road store would create around 400 jobs.

The plan was shelved after a legal challenge by rival Tesco, but was resurrected in 2016 with a bid to revive planning consent.

Now, Perth City West LLP, the Glasgow-based consortium leading the project, has formally withdrawn its application before it could be finalised by council officers.

Barratt Homes Scotland has now lodged plans to build 43 houses on the old mart site, representing the first stage of a five-phase plan for the 25-acre plot.

A masterplan for 270 homes was approved “in principle” by councillors two years ago.

Chris Ross, land director at Barratt North Scotland, said: “We are very pleased to be bringing forward this proposal to build this first phase of our development at Huntingtower.

“This plan represents our first investment in the Perth area for several years, so we are especially looking forward to bringing five-star homes to the area.”

He said: “We understand that new homes are in great demand in the area, and we will also be delivering affordable homes as part of our development.”

A spokesman said in documents lodged with planners: “The site has the potential to accommodate a range of much-needed family homes within easy reach of the town centre and surrounding area... in a desirable and pleasant location.”

Designs for the masterplan were criticised by rival developers.

Agents for neighbouring landowners A Ritchie and Sons and M&SM Bullough, who are developing their own housing scheme at nearby West Mains, argued last year that the old mart site would be better kept for retail.

The site became a notorious dumping ground after United Auctions closed up the mart in 2009.

In recent months, the area has been cleared of debris, including broken toys, kitchen appliances and even empty caravans. Large boulders have been used to block off the land.

However, developers face another challenge before any work can begin.

A study of the site has revealed about an acre-and-a-half of invasive giant hogweed.

Project leaders propose a major excavation of the site to clear all trace of the hazardous species.

Picture: Steve MacDougall. The site has been subject to fly-tipping and has become infested with giant hogweed.