Meeting hears of residents’ concerns
Chair of Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council Morag Young was at the exhibition.
She said: “I understand residents’ concerns about the proposed development, not just it’s size but the pressures it will bring to existing roads infrastructure and social pressures.
“These are issues that need to be looked at again and, from what I’m lead to believe, a utilities expansion may also be necessary to accommodate more of any type of housing in that area.
“Councillor Caroline Shiers and I will be seeking to arrange a meeting with the local planning officer to discuss other possible ways forward that will be of benefit to existing residents, future residents and acceptable to the council.
“High rent and residential prices are something that is a problem in our area and which is only compounded by the lack of housing being built with our residents’ needs in mind.
“PKC could fix this mess through prudent planning. Let’s hope they’re willing to do just that.”
Local councillor Caroline Shiers encouraged those who want to lodge an objection to the proposals to do so through the council when the planning application is submitted to the council.
She added: “There was a huge turnout at the public exhibition last week which I think certainly demonstrates the strength of opinion on this issue.
“Since the exhibition, I have been in touch with Stewart Milne Homes, Perth and Kinross Council and the convener of housing at PKC and have fed back many of the comments as well as positive alternative solutions to meet housing needs within the wider Blairgowrie area.
“I have also been in contact with PKC officers in education and roads to raise some of the questions put to me by residents last night.
“I have arranged to meet with the head of housing at PKC and representatives of Hillcrest to discuss this proposal and to look at options.
“I said at the outset that I am keen for the commuted sums to be spent on housing in the local area but there are many ways in which that can be done.
“I did appreciate the opportunity to chat with so many residents about the proposal and will ensure I keep residents updated, if and when it moves forward to a planning application.“
Councillor Bob Ellis added: “I was very pleased at the turnout and I spoke to a number of people, listened to their concerns and gave them as much advice as possible.
“I would like to say that it obviously still has to go through the planning process so it is not a done deal.”