Housing is the number one issue
The overwhelming issue in my mailbag just now is housing and the main questions constituents want answered is whether current major developments are in tune with current infrastructures, if demand for places at schools will be met and if there will be adequate health cover for these new residents.
Housing developments such as those taking place in Kinross, Huntingtower (on the outskirts of Perth) and at Auchterarder, are three examples of such projects that have resulted in many local residents contacting me to express concerns.
These issues range from constituents questioning the ability of the local roads network to cope with the new houses and also issues such as the required availability of GPs to cater for an increase in population in these communities.
As every elected member knows, parliamentary mail-bags reflect the changing nature of constituents’greatest concerns. This summer, housing developments and whether they articulate with the current local infrastructure, appear to be the burning issue especially in locations such as Kinross and Milnathort, Auchterarder and Huntingtower.
Everyone knows we need more houses - not just more houses in number but properties of the right type.
With the population of Perth and Kinross predicted to grow by 4.5 per cent in next five years, this issue is urgent and it is the reason why so many people are anxious about school places, availability of GPs and health services and, of course, vital road and rail links.
The new school at Bertha Park in Perth is exactly the kind of additional facility required when a housing development is built but there are so many other pressure points, especially in health services and transport.
The situation could be improved by creating a new national housing and infrastructure agency, an initiative suggested by the Scottish Conservatives. This agency would be tasked with looking at ways in which the extra funds that come from planning permission can be invested back into the community to pay for higher quality developments, greater civic space and more infrastructure.
The new agency would make sure new developments aren’t just dumped down carelessly but are about making the country more beautiful.
The agency would also address concerns from local residents who are anxious about new housing developments that are largely bolted on to their towns or villages, with no extra infrastructure to cope with new neighbours.
I feel matters would be helped considerably by the re-opening of a direct rail link running between Edinburgh and Perth.
This would not only create new stations to better serve Perth and Kinross and the Kingdom of Fife, but would help cope with the predicted population growth, along with providing a potential local economic boost from improved connectivity.
It has been estimated that the reinstatement of a direct link between Edinburgh and Perth would reduce journey times by up to 35 minutes and would help deliver a transport system that works for the 21st century, by providing modern infrastructure. Facilities like Bertha Park school are needed where new homes are built