Residents have raised objections to the proposed expansion of New Alyth by 52 homes.
A planning application has been submitted to build on 2.9 acres of farmland, immediately west of the village, abutting the A926.
Perth developer A & J Stephen has earmarked the land for 39 private and 13 affordable properties. The latter would be owned by registered social landlords.
They would range from two-bedroom bungalows to four-bedroom detached houses.
The land – 120 metres west of Cairns Park – was allocated for housing in Perth and Kinross Council’s local development plan in 2019.
But neighbours insist the scheme should be refused.
There have so far been three objections.
Christine Dutton wrote: “As residents of the existing hamlet of 10 homes, we have serious concerns that the proposed development will seriously impact the lives and mental wellbeing of the existing householders.
“The use of the existing access road is totally inadequate and is unsafe.”
Ross Sutherland added: “The local primary school is already running at capacity, and an increase of school-age children will put additional strain on resources.”
Shehzad Afzal wrote: “The increased traffic volume (potentially 100+ vehicles, plus construction traffic) will pose severe road safety risks.”
The developer says that if the development is allowed it would improve an existing children’s playpark that borders the land.
A tree belt to the north would also be enhanced to increase the screening of the new houses.
Consultation on the application ends on May 20.
‘Prehistoric remains’ on site of £1m Kinross-shire eggs proposal
The owner of a farm near Kinross may have to safeguard prehistoric remains if his £1m egg production plan is to get the go-ahead.
Richard Black has applied to erect an agricultural building for free-range egg production and a separate manure store building near Cleish.
He also wants to create a farm manager’s temporary living accommodation on the site, 300 metres north of Mawmill Farm Bungalow off the B9097.
Consultee Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust wrote: “The proposed development site
is located close to a prehistoric find spot (MPK5583) in an area relatively blank from any archaeological survey or recent interventions.
“The record was due to the discovery of a potential cinerary urn, which was an
enlarged food vessel type, with applied knobs, found during gravel digging at Mawmill in the 1960s.
“There is potential for unknown buried remains on the development site.
“Therefore, it is recommended that a programme of archaeological works should take place to assess the presence/absence, character and significance of archaeological deposits on the site.”
Mr Black’s planning statement said: “Mawmill Farm is an existing arable farm that is looking to part diversify into free-range egg production.
“This agricultural diversification project will have many benefits to the farm, through increased profitability, improved yields and lower purchased inputs.”
Kinross nursery conversion approved
A proposal to turn 55 High Street, Kinross, into a six-bedroom house has been approved.
The ground floor was occupied by Avant Garde, a popular cafe and gift shop, until recently.
But it closed and the unit is now filled by the Celebrations gift shop.
Meanwhile, the top floor has been occupied by Rosemount Nursery for the past 17 years.
The plan, submitted by landlord Ambercroft Properties, has been approved with conditions.
These include removing external signage and submitting a detailed landscaping and planting scheme.
Additionally, the developer must provide two bat boxes and two bird boxes on external walls or on trees within the site.
It is understood the existing businesses have a lease until June 2026.
Council protects Blairgowrie open land
A proposal to build two houses on open land in Blairgowrie has been refused.
The planning application, for land next to Woodlands Road, received two objections.
Neighbours raised concerns about the impact on the local environment and safety, and the potential for more traffic.
Perth and Kinross Council’s decision notice said the scheme would have a “detrimental impact on the open space area designation, set an undesirable precedent and threaten the integrity of the wider open space designation.”
Local business objects to Abernethy energy storage proposals
The owner of a local business says she will object to a proposed 65MW energy storage project near Abernethy.
Centrica has applied to the Energy Consents Unit to combine two battery energy storage systems (BESS) on a 3.85-acre site 60 metres north of Abernethy Cemetery on Newburgh Road.
Perth and Kinross Council approved these plans separately, in September 2022 and January 2023, when the projects were proposed by P&M Energy.
The new storage system would take this total to more than 50MW, which is why the application has been submitted to Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit, who will determine the scheme.
The site is only 150m from an existing 49.9MW BESS, which is owned by Harmony Energy and TAG. This went live in 2024.
In addition, there are currently applications for three other BESS nearby, at Cordon Farm (30MW), Endrigg (49.9MW) and Balgonie (49.9MW).
The latter is being determined by the council’s planning and placemaking committee on May 14.
Officers have recommended approval.
If all projects are allowed, a combined 245MW battery storage would be within half a mile of the Abernethy Substation, opposite Jamesfield Garden Centre.
Catherine Quinney and her husband have owned the centre on Abernethy Road since 2010.
She has a long-standing objection to the Centrica BESS as she believes it will harm the business.
Ms Quinney said: “We remain concerned that many residents in the local community are not fully aware of what is happening around them, which in my view, is industrialisation by stealth of a rural, agricultural area.
“Several of these BESS projects are located on prime agricultural land which is currently used for crops and livestock.
“They are all separately and privately owned and potentially in conflict with one another when they are buying from and then selling electricity back into the grid with the aim of making a profit.
“Collectively, they will have a dramatic effect on the landscape, but I don’t believe a thorough cumulative landscape and visual impact assessment looking at all the developments has been carried out.”
Here are the links to the planning/appeal papers for the Perth and Kinross applications
Conversation