‘Disappointment’ over approval of controversial house plans

A local politician has vowed to ensure that developers stick to planning conditions which would allow them to build a house in a Perth residential area only if they preserve a centuryold right of way.

Willie Wilson said he was disappointed that Perth and Kinross Council had approved an application for a single house on the site between Needless Road and Cavendish Avenue during a recent meeting.

The application was the third to be made by developers, Friarton Ltd, who had originally wanted to build three houses on the plot.

Those plans were opposed by many Craigie residents, who said the path was a vital route for children to safely walk to school.

In a further bid to build on the site, developers submitted new plans reducing the number of dwellings to two, and maintaining a pedestrian thoroughfare.

However, these plans proved just as contentious as the previous application, with residents voicing a number of concerns about the safety of the route, and ultimately Perth and Kinross Council refused the application, saying it failed to comply with the local development plan.

After the third application was approved, Mr Wilson said: “I am disappointed by the approval, but we have to accept the decision.

“The next move as far as I am concerned is to obtain a written copy of the conditions and consult with residents as to how we can ensure those conditions are fully but fairly implemented.”

The path between the two Craigie streets is believed to have existed since the building of 63 and 65 Needless Road 105 years ago.