Developers back out of plans to build 117 homes on playing fields

Developers have decided not to proceed with proposals for a major new housing development in Blairgowrie.

Aberdeen-based house-building contractor Stewart Milne secured planning consent for 117 new homes on land between Blairgowrie Community Campus on Hamish Henderson Drive, the playing fields off Piggy Lane and Maple Place nearly two years ago.

The plans for 20 terraced houses, 34 semi-detached houses and 63 detached houses were approved by Perth and Kinross Council despite scores of residents objecting to them.

Objections included concerns over its visual impact, over-development of the area, light, noise and air pollution, impact on recreational space and loss of trees, road safety, flood protection concerns, as well as issues relating to the public consultation process in advance of the bid being submitted.

A petition against the development was signed by nearly 600 people but at the time, planning bosses said it could not be classed as an official objection because it had been handed in too late.

However, it emerged last week that Stewart Milne will no longer be proceeding with the development.

A spokeswoman for the developers said:“We’ve had this site on option for a number of years, finally securing planning consent in 2018.

“However, during this time our overall strategy has shifted to take account of market conditions and our renewed focus on delivering family homes in specific city region locations across Scotland.

“While this site does present an attractive opportunity, it no longer fits with our portfolio and we will be concentrating on identifying and bringing forward other opportunities in the Perth and Dundee areas.”