The council expects to be the first developer on site next year with the construction of an A9 underpass to the site from Tweed Place and employment land, marking the beginning of a city expansion that could last three decades.

Moving the plans for approval on April 23, Economy and Infrastructure Committee convener Grant Laing asked that concerns about traffic and water management be fully addressed.

The masterplan and planning permission in principle has been agreed, however, each part of the development will require separate detailed planning applications for approval. It includes the Perth Eco-innovation Business Park, a bus depot, a hydrogen fuelling/electric charging centre, the Perth Innovation Highway, up to 1500 homes, business units, shops, hotels, food and drinks outlets, a primary school potentially with sports pitches, a healthcare centre and a heritage park.

PKC’S developer contributions officer Alasdair Finlayson said: “There’s an awful lot of potential development at Perth West. It could well be much longer than 15 years. We could be looking at tens of years, 30 years perhaps.”

“The council is likely to be the first developer to begin developing at Perth West with the underpass infrastructure and the first 11 hectares of employment land. That’s programmed subject to permission, getting statutory consent - some time next year.

“The planning permission in principle and the masterplan does not authorise any spades in the ground. That all needs to be applied for with future planning applications with matters specified.

“The council is likely to move on its part of the site next year. As for the rest of the site, that will be up to the John Dewar Lamberkin Trust and if they find a development partner to join them.”

Concerns were voiced regarding existing traffic jams at peak times at Broxden Roundabout, with Lib Dem councillor Willie Robertson asking what would be done to mitigate that problem and not make it worse, the Perthshire Advertiser reports.

Mr Finlayson said work to mitigate the impact of Perth West on Broxden would be “absolutely necessary” as “soon as the houses begin appearing”.

Moving the plans for approval, Economy and Infrastructure Committee convener Grant Laing said: “We will want particular attention paid to traffic infrastructure and water management issues, that they are fed back to the developer and we will work together with them to mitigate both these issues.

“This is an important long-term strategic development site for the further development of Perth and, over time, it will be developed for housing, employment uses, community facilities, medical and educational uses.

“Approval of a development masterplan is a vital planning obligation that has been set out in the comprehensive Section 75 agreement between the landowner and the council. It is vital because no applications for approval of further details can be submitted until the development masterplan has been approved.

“We are now close to the point when the council will lodge the planning application for the required underpass, road and employment land.”