Councillor calls for housing embargo
Claims residents are fed up with number of applications
A Kinross-shire councillor has called for an embargo on new housing – similar to the one supposed to restrict the number of new developments that can be approved near Perth.
Councillor Willie Robertson has written to Perth and Kinross Council’s strategy and policy manager Peter Marshall asking if such an embargo can be included in the next Local Development Plan (LDP).
“People in Milnathort and Kinross are getting more and more fed up with the escalating numbers of housing applications being granted consent with the effects this will have,” he explained.
“The ever growing amounts of traffic these developments will generate is a worry for all residents, both in terms of road safety and air quality.
“I think my idea of an embargo on future housing developments will concentrate the minds of people like Transport Scotland to provide the infrastructure which ought to follow large scale housing developments.”
His letter to Mr Marshall reads: “I am aware of the planning condition which exists in the Scone area which says no large housing developments will be permitted until the Cross Tay Road Link is committed.
“I consider this to be a very sensible way to proceed as all the traffic from new houses built in this area would have to come through Bridgend and Scone to access Perth or the M90. As you know, Milnathort and Kinross currently has 300 houses with consent at Lathro Farm and a possible 70 proposed for Pacehill, Milnathort.
“Added to that we have housing sites identified at Hattonburn, Ochil Hills Hospital, Pitdownie, Old Perth Road and a possible site for 80/90 chalets at Burleigh.
“All the traffic from these developments will have to use roads like The Muirs and Springfield Road, Kinross to get access to junction 6 on the M90. Or Gallowhill Road, Westerloan, North Street, South Street and Stirling Road to go north on the M90.
“I would like to have an embargo on all future large scale housing developments in the Milnathort/Kinross area until junction 7 has been fully upgraded to a four way junction.
“It is totally unacceptable to the residents living on the streets I have mentioned to have to accept more and more traffic when there is a solution available which is achievable.”
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “We have received a letter from Councillor Robertson and will respond to him directly.” Councillor Willie Robertson