Flats plan proposal wins crucial support despite objections

Firm makes third bid to transform vacant site in Tulloch area

A leading housebuilder could finally get the go-ahead for three blocks of flats near McDiarmid Stadium.

Construction firm GS Brown is making a third bid to transform an acre of vacant land off Allison Crescent, in the city’s Tulloch area.

The company scrapped two previous plans for flats at the site after opposition from residents.

The scale of the project was reduced from 27 flats to 26 and the layout has been altered to address locals’ concerns.

Now the scheme has secured support from Perth and Kinross Council planners. They will urge councillors to approve planning permission at a committee meeting on April 11.

However, the revised plan failed to allay concerns. Council officers received 19 letters and emails from objectors, calling for the scheme to be refused.

They are worried that extra traffic will cause congestion and parking problems. Concerns have also been raised about the height of the buildings, with fears they could block daylight and overshadow neighbouring homes.

However, the council’s interim development quality manager Anne Condliffe says the rejigged application should be acceptable.

“The level of car parking provision proposed is considered to be sufficient,” she said in her report.

“Following submission of the previous application, there was discussion with the council’s transport planners regarding the overall layout, the lack of footpaths and the lack of any detail to demonstrate that the roads within the site will be developed to an adoptable standard.

“As such, the previous proposed layout of the site was not considered to be appropriate. The layout has now been revised with the access into the site designed to an adoptable standard.”

She added: “The impact on residential amenity of this proposal is considered to be appropriate.”

A spokeswoman for GS Brown said the flats were aimed at helping first-time buyers get on the property ladder.

“After further consultations with Perth and Kinross Council’s planning department, our proposal has been amended to reflect those discussions.

“We still believe that this proposal is a positive response to the current housing market conditions and, with the price levels that will be set, offers local firsttime buyers and individuals that qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme the opportunity to purchase their own homes.”

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We still believe that this proposal is a positive response to the current housing market conditions. SPOKESWOMAN FOR GS BROWN