Proposal to transform ‘neglected’ farm site

Eco-camp: Low cost holidays would be available at environmentally friendly campsite

A planned eco-camp, which would include 60 tent pitches, 25 camping pods, eight holiday lodges and a children’s play park, will offer visitors a “low-cost, low-impact” holiday in Perthshire, it has been claimed.

The ambitious proposal, lodged with Perth and Kinross Council by Eco-Camp Scotland Ltd, would see a “neglected” 7.3-hectare site at Kinvaid Farm, Moneydie, transformed into a sustainable eco-campsite.

The developers state they aim to retain the “beauty” of the site by maintaining and enhancing the natural tree cover already present.

If passed by the local authority, the plan will also see a social club, reception and store/garage built on the land, north of the hamlet of Moneydie.

A supporting statement submitted with the planning application states the proposed development is an “environmentally friendly” campsite providing a mixture of tent pitches, pods and lodges for guests.

Although the developers would prefer those staying at the camp to use “alternative modes of transport” than cars, there will be 102 parking spaces to prevent “overspill” parking on the local road network, and 26 spaces for bikes.

“The site has been neglected and abandoned for a number of years and the proposal intends to reinvigorate the site through the creation of an ecocampsite,” the statement says.

“The proposal is to create an environmentally friendly campsite with around 50 to 60 tent pitches, 20 to 25 camping pods and six to eight timber holiday lodges. Also included in the proposal is a reception building, a store/ garage, a social club and a children’s play park.”

However, the plan has also raised concerns, with Tony Maric, Perth and Kinross Council’s transport planning officer, stating he would like to see a travel plan framework, querying what arrangements will be in place for guests to travel sustainably for leisure trips while they are staying at the site.

Local resident Dr Colin Hood has lodged an objection to the plan, suggesting the plan is a “major application” due to the site size exceeding two hectares, and stating that no pre-application notice was served on the council at least 12 weeks prior to the submission of the plan.

“The application should never have been registered by the council and should be deemed invalid and returned to the applicant,” he says in a letter lodged with the council.

“As it stands, the economic viability of this current planning application has not been proven and other similar proposals have been rejected by the council.

“We trust the council will reject this application which is not only invalid, but significantly deficient in information and is also clearly contrary to Tayplan and the key policies of the Perth and Kinross local development plan.”

The site has been neglected and abandoned for a number of years, and the proposal intends to reinvigorate the site through the creation ofanecocampsite. SUPPORTING STATEMENT

A graphic showing the planned eco-camp at Kinvaid Farm, Moneydie.