Jobs boost a step closer after plans approved
Perth is a step closer to a major jobs boost after councillors approved in-principle plans for a major business development.
Councillors unanimously approved proposals for a 15-hectare site bordering Inveralmond Industrial Estate.
Once fully operational the site is predicted to provide 443 jobs.
The agricultural land south of Target House on Ruthvenfield Road was identified for employment use in the region’s latest local development plan.
An application was put before Perth and Kinross Council’s planning and development management committee on Wednesday (January 13) for councillors’consideration.
I and H Brown and Rossco Properties submitted plans for a wide mixture of development plots and buildings.
The proposed development would create 30,000 square metres of floorspace spread across several industrial units.
Independent councillor Michael Barnacle said he was concerned about “the loss of good quality agricultural land, particularly around Perth.”
But planning officer Jamie Scott said this was“a logical extension to Inveralmond Industrial Estate”.
He explained this was the basis why “on this occasion it was okay to set aside the loss of the prime agricultural land in order to facilitate - in this case 15 hectares of - deliverable employment land”.
Concerns over flooding were also raised during the meeting.
The report of handling said arrangements for surface water drainage could not be finalised for a planning permission in principle application.
A statement on flooding within the report said:“SEPA (Scottish
Environment Protection Agency) indicate a preference for surface water to be discharged to the River Almond or Perth Lade but note there are issues with this. If the applicant proposed to discharge surface water to the Scottish Water sewer then no licence from SEPA would be required as this would be under the responsibility of Scottish Water.”
Councillors were told PKC’s structures and flooding team had been advised of the drainage requirements that would be needed for the next stage in the planning process.
SNP councillor Tom Gray motioned for approval. He said:“It is an ideally located proposal. It has great transport services all around - all directions.
“It also serves local communities very well.”
He pointed to the forthcoming Almond Valley development and nearby Bertha Park and said it was“planning at its best”.
He added:“And the sooner we see employment on that site the better.”
The application site sits within Conservative councillor Ian James’ Strathtay ward.
He seconded the plans and said:“I’m glad to see business coming forward.
“We’re quite good at building lots of houses but if we’re encouraging people to live here we also need jobs to go with it. So this is an absolute bonus.”