Plans for more than 100 new homes in Blairgowrie approved

Plans for more than 100 new homes in Blairgowrie approved

Plans to build more than 100 homes in Blairgowrie have been approved despite concerns over visual impact, flooding and inappropriate land use.

Westpark Partnership LLP will construct 71 homes and 32 flats built on land near Blairgowrie High School and the town’s Lidl and Home Bargains stores.

A total of 73 of the homes will be affordable and the rest will be for private sale.

The properties form part of a wider mixed-use development plan for the site, which was approved in principle in 2018. The application was approved this week by 11 votes to two, despite 21 objections from local residents.

Issues of concern raised included visual impact on the area, loss of privacy, risk of flooding, inappropriate land use and the impact on existing infrastructure, The Courier reports.

The plans were discussed at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s planning committee, where councillors also highlighted worries about the site.

Conservative Blairgowrie councillor Bob Brawn expressed concern about the impact on local services such as GP practices, some of which he claimed have now reached or are nearing their capacity.

He said: “This is a big development and a big site and I have some concerns. It is important that we get it right.”

He added: “GPS cover Blairgowrie and Rattray and I feel we need to make some inquiries there in preparation for the future.

“With the development, I have concerns over all the affordable housing being all in one site, which is against council policy. We should also look at things like electric vehicle chargers being in place from the start.”

Councillor Ian James supported the application, adding: “Whilst I take Councillor Brawn’s concerns, this is a difficult one.

“I think we’ve addressed all the concerns I would have seen. We’ve already given it planning in principle and don’t see a reason why we should turn it down.”

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