Councillors are demanding a comprehensive traffic management plan before they rule on plans for a new housing development near Perth’s “already chaotic” Crieff Road.
Local housebuilder GS Brown wants to construct 115 homes at the former Newton Farm site, next to McDiarmid Park.
The company built the St Johnstone FC stadium 30 years ago and recently completed more homes at Tulloch on the other side of the A9/A85 Link Road.
The land, a former potato farm, which has lain empty and derelict for years, has already been cleared for construction and has been earmarked for as many homes in Perth and Kinross Council’s local development plan.
A pre-application notice, a first draft of what the development might look like, was discussed by councillors at yesterday’s planning and development management committee.
St Madoes-based GS Brown hopes to start construction work on a mix of affordable homes, flats and houses in 2021.
Early designs for the site were put on display for local residents to inspect at a consultation session last week.
No detailed plans are expected to be submitted until next summer. However, the committee which will have the final say on the proposals has made it clear that traffic management will have to be taken into consideration
Conservative councillor Ian James said: “This is an area on the Crieff Road with a new junction at the A85.
“It’s already chaotic at times due to the two sets of traffic lights, at the new junction and at Tulloch.
“A traffic management plan needs to be looked at for the A85 and Tulloch junctions.”
The plea was backed by Perth City South Liberal Democrat councillor Willie Wilson.
He said: “Traffic is a serious issue. The site is an island in a road system of the council’s creation and safety is paramount.”
SNP councillor Henry Anderson said the authority would also be seeking assurances on air quality at the site, due to large amounts of traffic which would be passing on two sides.
The draft proposals outline a significant number of trees throughout the site to help address pollution, as well as to mitigate any noise from the football stadium.
