The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Traveller family appeals over refusal of camp site
REJECTED PLANS for a dedicated camp site for Travellers in rural Kinross-shire have been revived.
A retrospective proposal for an authorised camp near Milnathort was thrown out by councillors after they heard the area had a history of neighbour nuisance problems.
Opponents said that fire crews had been called to the site, near Laighland Stables, four times in recent months after reports that people on the land were burning plastic cables and creating “noxious fumes”.
Applicant Archie Stewart, who lives at the site, has now submitted an appeal to Scottish Ministers, urging them to overturn the councillors’decision.
A spokesman for the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals said Mr Stewart’s submission had been received and the local authority had been given 21 days to respond.
Mr Stewart’s planning application had been supported by council officers, despite attracting more than 40 objections.
He had originally proposed to set up five caravans for his extended family of two adults, four children and one grandchild.
The plan was scaled back to just two caravans after health and safety officials raised fears about a nearby underground gas pipeline.
Among the objectors was Kinross-shire Civic Trust, which argued there was “no excuse” for a second traveller site after one was previously approved at Crook of Devon.
In its letter, a spokesman for the trust said: “Careful consideration must be given by the council to an approved site for Gypsy/Travellers as there is no doubt that they have an impact on the surroundings.”
Concerns were also raised about possible light pollution, and about ponies and traps being used on the busy A91, an accident black spot.
A statement lodged by agent Forbes Marr on behalf of the Stewart family said the plans involve the establishment of an “extended Gypsy/Traveller” household pitch for the “growing” family.
A spokesman added: “They also provide for touring-style caravan types that will cater for time spent on the road — a core element of the lifestyle of this ethnic minority group, of which the applicants are self-declared members.”
Forbes Marr has stressed that the Stewart family is “locked” into local health services, as well as education, having well established local connections with Kinross, Greenacres and Milnathort.
The spokesman said the plan will not “detract” from the landscape or visual character of the area.
“It should be scarcely visible from both the public domain and rural development to the southwest,” he added.
The plan was rejected at a December meeting of the council’s development management committee when members voted to throw out the plans by nine to four.
Councillor Joe Giacopazzi said at the meeting: “I take the view that this will have a considerable effect on the general area. This does not make a positive contribution to the location.”
AT PERTH:
A Perth man lost his job when he was caught at twice the drink-drive limit after drinking the night before.
Joiner Graham Hamilton, 30, was stopped by police shortly after 8am on February 13 as he drove to work.
Hamilton, of Muirlands Farm, Perth Road, had been seen driving on the B867 Bankfoot to Birnam road and the unclassified Waterloo to Gellyburn road.
He pleaded guilty yesterday to driving with a breath alcohol reading of 55mics. The legal limit is 22 mics.
Hamilton was fined £400 and disqualified from driving for 24 months by Sheriff Fiona Tait, although his ban could be reduced by six months if he completes the drink-driver rehabilitation scheme by July next year.
A Perth woman posted a naked picture of a female on Facebook without her permission and wrote insulting comments about her.
Claire Davidson, 33, of Logie Crescent, pleaded guilty to making the public post on Facebook on November 8 last year.
Sentence was deferred in the case until March 31 for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports.
A 17-year-old Blairgowrie youth has admitted injuring his father by punching him on the body during an assault.
Reece Malone, of Glenisla Court, pleaded guilty to attacking Kevin Malone on January 2 at his home address by repeatedly punching him on the body to his injury.
Sentence was deferred until April 8 for criminal justice social work reports and for the court to obtain a community payback order progress report.
Two Perth men have admitted stealing a laptop and a television from a flat in the city’s McCallum Court last year.
Daniel Davidson, 17, of McCallum Court, and Thomas Fraser, 20, of Skinnergate, both pleaded guilty to committing the theft on May 22.
Sentence on the pair was deferred until April 8 for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports.