Pace Hill site back in play
Fresh bid for houses in Kinross-shire
Developers have returned with a fresh application to build dozens of new houses at Pace Hill in Milnathort.
Dundas Estates and Development Co Ltd withdrew its previous bid to build 80 houses at the 3.5 hectare site earlier this year after it attracted more than 30 objections, including one from the Kinross-shire Civic Trust (KCT).
The trust pointed out the number of houses Dundas Estates was proposing to build exceeded the number specified for the site in the council’s local development plan (LDP).
Many of the objections also raised concerns about congestion. The scheme would have to be accessed from North Street, which locals say is already too choked with traffic to cope with any more cars.
This time Dundas Estates is seeking permission to build 77 houses - still 27 more than specified in the LDP - and has submitted a transport statement.
Glasgow-based ECS Transport Planning estimated the scheme will generate “a maximum of 47 and 53 two-way vehicle movements during the weekday AM and PM peak hours respectively”.
Their report concludes that the surrounding road network “is considered sufficient to accommodate the likely traffic demands associated with the development proposals”.
Five locals have already objected to the latest application, with four of them again raising concerns about the proposed development’s impact on the town’s infrastructure.
One has also objected that the proposal goes against the LDP, stating: “This development for 77 dwellings contravenes the local development plan, which states 50 dwellings.
“The traffic congestion that will be created on North Street, Milnathort, will create a road safety issue on an already narrow street.”
Another objector wrote: “I’m concerned about the scale of this development as 77 houses massively increases the population of Milnathort, where the narrow roads already struggle to cope with the level of traffic.
“77 houses could easily see 150 new cars trying to navigate the roundabout on North Street and this street is effectively a single track at many areas due to on-street parking.”
“I’m also worried about the additional noise from an extra 150 cars going past many houses on a quiet road.”
Dundas Estates said its latest proposals will provide “an attractive addition to the existing market for good quality family housing in the Perth and Kinross area”.
In a design statement the company said: “The site presents an excellent opportunity to create a high-quality residential development which offers a welcome street scene, is well connected and provides a variety of amenity spaces in addition to positive improvements to existing recreation spaces.”
Managing director Bruce Dunlop has since added: “The location of the Pace Hill development is well connected to transport links and local amenities and presents an excellent opportunity to build high-quality homes to suit a range of housing needs.
“We are committed to supporting local communities, which includes fulfilling our commitment to provide assistance to educational facilities in the area.
“Our aim is always to become a contributing member of the communities where we develop homes and we see Milnathort as a great place to do that.”
The application is currently at the public consultation stage.