Green light for 103 new houses and flats
Fears over integration of affordable housing overridden
The latest phase in a Blairgowrie housing development has been approved despite concerns about affordable housing not being integrated.
Approval was granted for 103 homes on land 200 metres west of Blairgowrie and Rattray Cottage Hospital.
Perth and Kinross Council’s Planning and Placemaking Committee voted to approve the application when it came before councillors on Wednesday, March 22.
Yeoman Mcallister Architects submitted an application on behalf of Westpark Partnership Llp/first to develop 71 houses and 32 flats on a 5.5 hectare site on the south-western edge of
Blairgowrie next to the A93/ Perth Road.
Councillors were told 71 per cent of this phase would be affordable units with 34 social rental and 39 mid-market rental properties. A planning officer told councillors this was “significantly higher” than PKC’S 25 per cent requirement. Councillors were told the figure would be rebalanced back towards the 25 per cent requirement in future phases.
The masterplan outlines “in principle” plans for a hotel, restaurant and as many as 400 homes over four phases (1A, 1B, 2 and 3). The first phase has seen the development of Lidl and Home Bargains.
Independent councillor Dave Cuthbert questioned why the affordable housing was “in a completely separate section from the site and not integrated”.
PKC’S planning service manager Kristian Smith said: “That’s perhaps an interpretation. I would feel the development is integrated in terms of its design, layout, it’s indistinguishable from the remaining parts of the proposal.
“It’s blocked together because the operators and providers of those units, that is their preference. They would like to have all of their assets in one place to ensure it’s as viable and manageable as possible.”
He argued it “was integrated into Blairgowrie”.
Blairgowrie and Glens Conservative councillor Bob Brawn and Kinross-shire councillor Dave Cuthbert moved for refusal on the basis of affordable housing not being integrated.
Cllr Brawn said while he supported the in principle plans when they first came forward, he had “some big concerns here” which also included concerns about the level of local health provision.
He added: “This is a move into a residential development and it is a big development and we’ve approved it in principle but I have some big concerns here. When we do it we have to get it right. We got the first part right.”
Strathtay councillor Ian James tabled an amendment for approval.
He said: “We’re getting the affordable housing at the beginning of the project which could run out but it could stop at any time so we’re getting our affordable housing now which I see as a bit of a bonus.
“We’ve already approved it for planning in principle and see no reason why we should turn it down.”
Bailie Mike Williamson seconded for approval.
The development was approved by 11 votes to two.