Major new project to transform future of city moves forward

PERTH: Development on outskirts would include housing, retail and business units and a hotel

A major new development which would expand the boundaries of Perth and is designed to transform the future of the city has taken another step forward.

The Perth West project will deliver a range of houses, retail outlets, a hotel, community and health facilities, education and business centres alongside an “innovation highway” to help reduce Perth’s carbon output.

The John Dewar Lamberkin Trust, the organisation behind the ambitious project, has submitted a proposal of application notice to Perth and Kinross Council for the development on land west of the A9 at the Broxden roundabout.

As part of the innovation highway eco-park it is believed the site will host a hydrogen refuelling station as well as test locations for self-driving cars.

Project leaders also want to use solar power, new heat pump technology and a biomass facility to provide energy to thousands of local homes.

It has been claimed the project will provide around 1,000 jobs and and contribute around £20 million a year to the Tayside economy for 25 years.

Alexander Dewar of the John Dewar Lamberkin Trust said: “We are really looking forward to the next stage in delivering the Perth West project.

“The Local Development Plan was adopted in November and we have now submitted a pre-application notice to help shape a planning application in the next few months.

“Perth West is a mixed use development that incorporates the Perth Innovation Highway, a Tay Cities Deal project, which will make a step change in the transformation of the city as a whole to a low carbon economy, a business park and mobility hub along with mixed tenure housing, public amenities and a heritage park.

“The next three months will see continued engagement with communities and interested parties to set out a framework for bringing forward this ambitious project,” he said.

A public exhibition will be held at the Leonardo Hotel on Crieff Road between 2pm and 8pm on Thursday February 6.

The consultation event will provide information about the masterplan and the prospective planning application.

The John Dewar Lamberkin Trust have also said they would try to hold meetings with Methven Community Council and Earn Community Council during this month and next.

“Perth West is a mixed use development that incorporates the Perth Innovation Highway, a Tay Cities Deal project... a business park and mobility hub. ALEXANDER DEWAR

The development is proposed on land west of the A9 at the Broxden roundabout.