Locals say they will fight ‘invasion’ of 700 new homes in Scone

Plans: Building firm reveals details of proposals at viewing in village

Furious residents in Perthshire’s biggest village have mounted a campaign to halt work on an “invasion” of new housing.

People in Scone came out in force yesterday to view the latest proposals for a massive residential development earmarked for land to the north of the village.

A&J Stephen is preparing to lodge a planning application for 700 houses on farmland between Spoutswells Drive and Angus Road.

If approved, the scheme could see the population soar by almost half.

Residents who attended the viewing at Scone’s New Church Hall have pledged to object to the proposals once they are submitted with Perth and Kinross Council.

Nadia Cassar said: “It’s going to completely change the character of Scone. People moved here because it was a nice, peaceful village but all that will change if this gets the go-ahead.”

Norman Henderson, who lives on the edge of the village, said: “Scone has become a rat run...It can’t cope with any more traffic.”

Concerns have also been raised about the scheme’s impact on a neighbouring ancient woodland.

Resident Moira Douglas added: “People here are going to fight this all the way.”

Locals have even formed a study group to examine and assess all aspects of the development, with the aim of highlighting all potential pros and cons.

Representatives of A&J Stephen were on-hand to answer questions about the latest plan. They stressed that all feedback from a previous consultation in December had been taken on-board while drawing up the new proposals.

A new school and recreation facilities could be built to cope with the population increase. Designs include a realignment to the A94 to link-up with the proposed Cross Tay Link Road.

An application for planning consent will be submitted in the coming weeks.

Residents have also raised concerns over plans to remove a huge area of zoned greenbelt on the village edge.

It is thought that the move, which is part of the council’s Local Development Plan, could clear the way for as many as 10,000 new properties.

Picture: Kris Miller Top: a Scone resident has a closer look at the plans, above, at the New Church Hall viewing.