Residents say no to planned new housing development

Survey shows more than 98% of respondents are against plans

A survey has revealed overwhelming opposition to a housing expansion in one of Scotland’s biggest villages.

Nearly half the population of Scone voted to gauge support for 700 new homes on the edge of the village.

The results show that more than 98% are against the development, which they say should not go ahead before the Cross Tay Link Road, that will connect Scone with the A9, is in place.

The questionnaire also revealed that 96.1% were against allowing a first phase of 100 houses before the bridge is ready, while 1,151 of the 1,190 households that replied said Scone could not absorb an increase in traffic.

The results of the survey were handed to officials at Perth and Kinross Council yesterday as around 30 residents staged a demonstration in the grounds of the local authority’s headquarters.

The housing plan was first raised in 2007 and a poll conducted by the council at the time showed 80% were opposed.

The latest plan, by construction firm A&J Stephen, was unveiled earlier this year.

The company wants to build on farmland between Spoutswell Drive and Angus Road.

If approved, the population could increase by almost 50%.

Opponents argue the development will lead to a huge increase in congestion and a rise in pollution problems.

Jill Belch, a professor at Dundee University’s school of medicine, said the housing plan could have a major negative impact on the health of local people.

“There was a recent QC ruling that makes it illegal for an authority to allow a development that could exacerbate pollution problems where there is a known risk,” she said.

“If this went ahead without the new bridge, the risks would be unacceptable and would have very harmful effects on people of all ages, from womb to tomb.”

Locals are also worried the project will destroy wildlife and nature, including pine martens, roe deer and ancient trees.

A spokesman for the community council’s study group, which was set up to assess the developer’s application, said: “Once the trees are gone, the wildlife will disappear too.

“It’s all very well for a company to say it’s going to plant more trees, but that simply isn’t going to work.

“We are not being ‘nimby’ about this.

“We want to protect this land for residents, as well as the many, many visitors who come here.”

Local councillor Dennis Melloy said he was “astonished” that nearly 50% of the village voted.

“It has been a tremendous effort by the community council.”

Councillor Lewis Simpson added: “We have incontrovertible proof that the majority of residents are against this plan.”

Developer John Stephen said: “The land at north Scone has been identified by Perth and Kinross Council for residential development in the adopted local development plan.

“This decision was taken several years ago by the council, so the principal of housing on this land had already been established.”

He said: “As a firm of local housebuilders, we are simply bringing forward our plans to meet that need and which we are confident fulfil the council’s requirements.

“We recognise, as with any large-scale, proposed planning application, that a range of feedback will be submitted and strong views raised and it is unfortunate when some views are based on misleading information.”

We want to protect this land for residents, as well as the many,many visitors who come here. SCONE COMMUNITY COUNCIL SPOKESMAN