The first phase of a massive Perth housing scheme has been approved.
Councillors have given unanimous backing to the latest plans for the £1 billion Bertha Park development.
Last month, a masterplan for the site – on the city’s north-western edge – was approved by Perth and Kinross Council’s development management committee.
Now the same group has given its support to a detailed planning application for the central part of the 822-acre project.
The plan was tabled by construction firm Springfield.
Convener Tom Gray said: “Its quite easy to see how attractive these plans are. I think this is something we should support.”
In his report to councillors, development quality manager Nick Brian said the detailed plan included around 1,060 of the overall site’s 3,000 homes, as well as land for retail, health services and businesses.
“Phase one is envisioned to be delivered between 2017 and 2027,” he said. “Springfield’s vision for Bertha Park is to create a countryside community with 3,000 homes and all the supporting infrastructure, facilities and amenities demanded by modern life.
“This detailed application is the first piece in the jigsaw and illustrates the design principles employed by Springfield in meeting their vision.”
There were no objections to the scheme, but Luncarty, Redgorton and Moneydie Community Council has raised concerns about emergency access in and out of the site.
The group has also pointed out that some parts of the earmarked land are prone to flooding.
A condition of planning consent calls for details of an emergency access strategy to be submitted before any work begins.
The entire Bertha Park project is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs and is expected to help deal with a forecast population boom.