Furious Scone residents have staged a demonstration against a massive housing plan which they claim could cause major traffic and pollution problems.
Locals stepped out on Wednesday to show their anger against plans for 700 new homes on the edge of the village.
More than 1,000 people have so far responded to a community questionnaire, aimed at gathering views on the development.
Local councillor Lewis Simpson said he has yet to hear from a Scone resident who is in support of the scheme.
Construction firm A&J Stephen is poised to lodge a planning application for 700 houses across acres of farmland, between Spoutswell Drive and Angus Road.
If approved, the scheme could see the population soar by almost half. Opponents claim the development will lead to a huge increase in congestion and a rise in pollution problems.
Residents gathered at the edge of the site with placards and banners. During the demonstration, they showed their gratitude to two local teenagers Angus McNicol and Andrew Wombill who found evidence of a rare pine marten living in the area.
The discovery of the heavily protected mammal could cause a major headache for developers. The boys, aged 14 and 15, were presented with a gift voucher as a thank you for their find.
Meanwhile, there is also fresh concern about whether the housing expansion can go ahead before the long-awaited Cross Tay Link Road – which will link the village with the A9 near Luncarty – is completed.
Originally, it was ruled that the majority of the plan could not go ahead until the bridge is built. However, the link road became an officially “committee project” at Wednesday’s capital budget talks.
Moira Andrew, who is a member of a special community study group set up to assess the proposal, has questioned the need for a new crossing.
“No one can tell us what percentage of traffic travelling through Scone into Bridgend work in Perth,” she said. “Perhaps a bypass, not a bridge is the answer. In which case, the only purpose of the bridge is to serve future large scale housing.”
She said a similar poll was carried out by the council when the housing plan was first raised in 2007. The study group said the proposal was rejected by 80% after a large return.
She said: “This (latest poll) is a true consultation where residents are in possession of all the facts and we hope that the council take notice of the results.”
She said the closing date for completed questionnaires was Monday, August 1 and the results will be announced shortly afterwards.
Mr Simpson said: “I’m delighted that there has been such a huge response to this questionnaire. It is important that the voice of the people is heard.”
A new school and recreation facilities could be built to cope with the population increase. Designs include a realignment to the A94 to link-up with the proposed Cross Tay Link Road.
No one from A&J Stephen was available for comment, but the company has previously stressed that all feedback would be taken on-board when drawing up the new proposals.
