The chequered history of a high-profile Perth site could soon be resolved.
Councillors will be told on Wednesday that a plan is in the pipeline to build housing on the site of the former Perth Agricultural Centre at East Huntingtower.
In recent months the land off Crieff Road has been blighted by fly-tipping so the proposal will be welcomed in many quarters.
When the livestock mart closed the site was earmarked for a multi-million pound Sainsbury store but this plan foundered.
Now developers have come forward suggesting that the site should be used for hundreds of homes to help meet the population growth expected in the city in coming years.
A pre-application report will go before the council’s development control committee, giving councillors forewarning that an application is imminent and providing a chance for them to suggest areas they would like to see addressed in the application.
“The purpose of this report is to inform the development management committee of a likely forthcoming planning application in respect of a major development for residential development with associated access, landscape treatment and engineering works at the former Perth Agricultural Centre, East Huntingtower, and Perth,” said Nick Brian, the council’s development control manager.
“The site extends to some six hectares and is located on the footprint of the former United Action Mart and car auction facility, to the west of the Dobbie’s Garden Centre at East Huntingtower.
“It is currently accessed from the A85 along with other existing businesses.
“There are a number of houses located on the northern side of the A85 known as East Huntingtower, located opposite the access into the site and extending some 160 metres along the roadside.
“To the east of the A9 lie established residential areas with the closest housing being approximately 120 metres from the site.”
Mr Brian says that an indicative number of 230 dwellings is being proposed.