PARK LEASE ‘BOMBSHELL’

Club’s dismay at 3G pitch delay

A public consultation has been launched by Perth and Kinross Council looking for views on proposals to grant a 25-year lease to Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Football Club for Davie Park.

The move is part of the planning process for the new full-size 3G pitch and other community facilities at the Rattray focal point, which is classified as common ground.

However, it has come as a surprise to the 3G pitch project team, which has described the news as a “bombshell”.

Speaking at the most recent online meeting of the Eastern Perthshire Community Sports Hub, BRCFC’s Sandy Thomson (right) said: “A bombshell was dropped on us by PKC two weeks ago with the announcement that, due to the lease and the land being common ground and

Community Empowerment Act, they would have to issue a public consultation.

“This will last for eight weeks and has held up progress on the project.

“The club would appreciate it if the EPCSH would send a letter or email of support for the project as part of the consultation process.”

It is understood that the consultation will also be discussed at the next meeting of Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council, which is due to take place online on Thursday, July 8.

Sandy added that the team behind the project is also expecting to hear this week whether funding applications to the Sportscotland Facility Fund and Gannochy Trust have been successful.

As previously reported in the Blairie, wide-ranging plans for a substantial revamp of Davie Park were recently lodged with PKC’s planning department.

A design statement compiled by local firm IMAC Architecture on behalf of applicant BRCFC describes the project as being undertaken as part of a drive to bring the existing facilities“up to 21st century standards”.

The statement explains that the mooted development includes the uplift of the existing grassed football pitch and the installation of a 3G surface, as well as the associated drainage work.

Permission is also being sought to construct storage areas, floodlighting, cycle racks, fencing, gates and spectator rails.

In addition, the multi-faceted application includes an upgrade of the existing car parking area to boast 30 spaces, including six accessible spaces for people with disabilities.

According to the local authority, the aim of the public consultation is to“provide an opportunity to comment on the proposal to grant a lease to BRCFC for 25 years at Davie Park”.

Members of the public are invited to contribute their views via email or post and have until August 16 to do so.

Feedback will be collated and “considered in the preparation of the report to the Blairgowrie Common Good Committee regarding the leasing of land ... to enable the development of a 3G pitch with community facilities”.

The facilities at the site will also include modern changing rooms, a viewing gallery, catering facilities and social and office space for hire.

BRCFC will be responsible for the future maintenance of the leased area.

The consultation can be found online at https://consult.pkc.gov.uk/ communities/ davie-park-lease-of-land/

Views can be emailed to CommunityGreenspace@pkc.gov. uk or posted to BRCFC Consultation, Community Greenspace, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth, PH1 5GD.

The planning permission can be viewed through the council’s online planning portal at www.pkc.gov.uk