Worries that housing could wreck tourism

Holiday park owners feel estate could harm trade

A major housing development at Rattray could badly affect local tourism, the owners of a neighbouring holiday park fear.

Springfield Properties’ proposed 217house development is bounded by Glenalmond Road, Blairgowrie Holiday Park, pictured right, and Rattray itself.

The operators of the holiday park are now worried the “rural ambience” will be destroyed by building housing nearby.

Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council has also submitted an objection over an increase in traffic it feels will exacerbate existing parking and access issues around Rattray Primary.

The proposal, which would include 60 affordable housing units, will be considered by councillors tomorrow but the recommendation from their officials is that they approve the application.

Kirsty Wood Thomson, a partner with Wood Leisure, which operates the holiday park, said: “The development adjoins our boundary where the luxury end of our product range is located.

“The closeness of the development could well adversely affect the desirability of this holiday accommodation, where our visitors enjoy a peaceful, rural ambience.

“We are well established within the community and bring a lot of tourists to Blairgowrie all year round. We also bring a lot of local trade to the area as our owners of more than 110 holiday homes are up most weekends staying and enjoy eating out, using the golf courses etc.

“This significant influx of tourists is contributing and supporting our local economy and with just under 10,000 people living in Blairgowrie, these visitors make a substantial contribution to the town’s economy.

“This growing economic impact cannot be underestimated and developments need to be considered sympathetically so as not to jeopardise our future viability.”

Springfield has pointed out that a quarter of the homes on the new development will be classed as “affordable” to cater for local need.

The firm also claims Glenalmond Road is “already equipped” with bus links and the proposed development is “well served” and “accessible” to a variety of modes of transport.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has said the site must include safe areas for species found in the area.

The closeness of the development could well adversely affect the desirability of these holiday homes. KIRSTY WOOD THOMSON BLAIRGOWRIE HOLIDAY PARK