Play park still part of plans, says firm
Representatives from Scotia Homes have moved to reassure locals that a play park will still be provided at the developer’s site off Maple Place in Blairgowrie.
The move comes after concerns about the proposed facility were raised at a Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council (BRCC) meeting.
Families in Blairgowrie were last year given the opportunity to put forward suggestions for a new play area by the Piggy Lane playing fields, which it is hoped will be included as part of a proposed 109-home housing development being overseen by the Aberdeenshire-based firm.
The survey was organised by BRCC following a public meeting, held by Scotia Homes as part of the pre-planning process required for major developments.
Scotia Homes representatives said at the time that a play area was to be included in the development and that they would
be keen to hear from members of the public regarding what sort of equipment and style of park would be preferred.
And last week a spokesperson for the developers said: “At this point we are actively delivering the extant permission that has already been received for the site by the previous developer and a play park is an integral feature of the scheme.
“We are working with the results of the community council’s play area community engagement survey on designs that meet those requirements and to ensure that it delivers what everyone wants.
“We are also working with Perth and
Kinross Council’s Greenspace team on how it will be maintained in the future, and they have some great ideas around incorporating natural elements into the park, for example, and increasing the landscaped areas in the vicinity of the play area.
“There will definitely be a play park though, with the details presently being more fully developed and refined to hopefully create a welcoming and integrated play space for the new development and surrounding existing community.”
The spokesperson also confirmed that there is no requirement for the
provision of a drop-off zone or layby for the community campus to be included in the plans.
They said that whether such a facility was to be introduced was a matter for council officers to decide, adding that they were being “kept in the loop” with regard to discussions on the issue.
The revised planning application for the site is currently understood to be targeted for consideration by the local authority’s planning committee in August.
Should the planning process proceed as expected, Scotia Homes is thought to be looking at a completion date for the site in October 2023.
There will definitely be a play park though, with the details presently being more fully developed and refined Spokesperson