New homes vital to avert ‘housing crisis’

Perth and Kinross residents urged to rethink opposition to large-scale developments

Perth and Kinross residents have been warned they risk plunging the region into a deepening housing “crisis” if they continue to oppose large-scale home building applications.

Community groups, including Kinross-shire Civic Trust, have urged the Scottish Government to investigate the activities of developers and the planning process locally.

Thousands of new homes are proposed, expanding almost every community of size, and there are fears of “overdevelopment”.

The latest plan will see more than 110 new homes created in Blairgowrie, where residents fear their town will become a “concrete jungle”.

Homes for Scotland, however, believe that new properties must be constructed to ensure the future economic prosperity of Perth and Kinross.

Scotland is in the midst of a “housing crisis”, with Perth and Kinross one of the most deeply affected areas, Homes for Scotland has warned.

The trade body said the region’s growing population needs new homes to ensure future generations can remain in the areas they were born in.

Chief executive Nicola Barclay said it was vital residents think of that when considering the thousands of new homes being built and proposed.

She also stressed the importance of house-building to the economy of Perth and Kinross.

Homes for Scotland represents 200 organisations which build 95% of new homes for sale across the country.

Ms Barclay said: “It is well documented that the building of new homes can be a contentious issue for local communities.

“However, it is also a fact that our entire country is in a housing crisis and new homes need to be built somewhere.

“Across Scotland, levels of home building are still nearly 40% below those of 2007 and Perth and Kinross in particular has seen population and household growth higher than the Scottish average over the period 2006-16.

“Of course, we fully recognise in some instances there may be legitimate concerns over increased traffic,

Levels of home building are still nearly 40% below thoseof 2007

infrastructure capacity and pressure on existing services such as schools and GP surgeries.

“That is why we continually stress to the Scottish Government the importance of having a coordinated approach, to ensure it does not negatively impact on existing communities.”

She added: “Housing is fundamental to the economic and social wellbeing of our communities, indeed our country.

“Yet in many places we simply don’t have enough homes to meet the needs and aspirations of our growing population, with those worst affected being growing families and young people.”

Homes for Scotland says those affected by house building should think about the impact the housing shortage has on young people forced to stay at home with parents.

It also points out that a lack of suitable accommodation affects those wishing to start or expand their families.

And it urges people to think about where our children and grandchildren are going to live when they grow up and whether they will they have the option to stay near their families.

Ms Barclay added: “We should also bear in mind that new homes can breathe new life back into communities, balancing the population mix and sustaining local services, creating jobs through the use of local contractors and boosting the economy through increased council tax revenue.

“Let’s have a more balanced debate about the positive impact new development can bring.”

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Protesters from Scone trying to stop housing developments in their village. However, one body representing builders says there are not enough homes in Scotland.