Residents battling business park plan

Proposal expected to create around 300 jobs

Residents are battling to block plans for a new business park on their doorstep.

The proposed development on the edge of Auchterarder is expected to create around 300 jobs and attract millions of pounds of investment.

The scheme, south of Feus Road, has been backed by planning chiefs and looks set to be approved by councillors later this month.

But people living on the edge of the site fear they could have to put up with years of construction work.

Fears have also been raised about the scheme’s potential impact on breeding birds and wildlife, as well as pollution and noise.

Some residents believe the new units could be a target for thieves after dark, leading to a rise in crime.

A major new business park on the edge of Auchterarder has been hailed as a major boost for the economy.

Developers claim it could attract millions of pounds of investment and create around 300 jobs.

The multi-million-pound estate will transform nearly 15 acres of land south of Feus Road on the outskirts of the village, with designs for new office blocks and industrial units.

But the scheme has met fierce opposition from nearby residents.

They are worried about excessive disturbance during years of construction, as well as the impact on breeding birds and wildlife.

Concerns about noise, visual impact, light pollution and a loss of informal recreational space – popular with dog walkers – have also been raised.

Some residents fear the new units could be a target for thieves after dark, leading to an increase in crime.

Despite these concerns, the project has been backed by Perth and Kinross Council planning chiefs.

They will encourage councillors to grant planning permission for the scheme at a meeting later this month.

Interim development quality manager Anne Condliffe supports the plan, subject to conditions. “It is recognised that the development of this site will undoubtedly result in an element of disturbance to neighbouring properties, in comparison with the status quo, due to building works and operation of new land uses,” she said.

“Consultation has been undertaken with environmental health (officers) who advise that the predicted increase in noise at existing residential property is negligible.”

One local resident warned the park would cause traffic problems and pollution on already heavily congested, and flood-prone roads.

She said: “The council is aware that many local children walk back and forth to schools in the centre of Auchterarder and it is unacceptable to subject them to further degraded quality of air.”

Members of the council’s planning and development management committee will discuss the scheme on April 11.

The increase in noise at existing properties will be negligible. ANNE CONDLIFFE, INTERIM DEVELOPMENT QUALITY MANAGER

Picture: Angus Findlay. Residents in the area are worried that the proposed business park could be harmful to local wildlife and lead to an increase in crime in the area.