Construction firm workers have bombarded planning chiefs with letters in support of their company’s highly controversial Scone housing project.
Staff at Perth-based A&J Stephen have mounted their own campaign in the face of on-going protests from local residents.
And the company’s boss defended his employees after criticism over the move, arguing they are trying to protect their livelihoods.
Around 800 people have written to Perth and Kinross Council calling for A&J Stephen’s bid to build 700 new homes at the north of the village to be rejected.
On Monday, The Courier revealed that a public consultation – due to end last week – had been extended after a new report on wild beavers was submitted by developers A&J Stephen.
Since then, planning officers have received dozens of correspondence in support of the plan.
Nearly 90 letters calling for the application to be approved have appeared on the council’s online planning portal. Most are believed to be on A&J Stephen’s payroll.
Managing director John Stephen said: “It is absolutely correct and proper that our employees have commented on the planning application, after all they are perfectly entitled to.
“Their livelihoods depend on this site coming forward as early as possible.”
He said: “It is astonishing that they should be criticised for making their views known to the planning department.
“It is particularly important that these views are heard, as we are aware that the survey of Scone residents conducted by the community council specifically excluded some of our employees who live in Scone.”
Although the representations come from individuals, many share identical text.
They state: “The development will provide a much needed boost to the local economy not only in construction, but related sectors and importantly the local Scone retail trade.
“These direct and indirect employment opportunities should not be overlooked when considering the economic benefit of this application.”
Another letter quoted by several supporters argues: “I am aware of some objections being made, but my view is that there has been a misrepresentation of facts in the local press in recent months.
“It is being suggested that air quality levels in Scone are above legal levels, however if this were the case then surely as a public health body NHS Tayside would have objected to any planned development on this site.”
In fact, NHS Tayside boss Drew Walker was one of the first to object.
Opponents questioned the timing of the new letters – most of which appeared after the consultation was due to close – and pointed out that most appear to live outwith the village.
Campaigner Mike Moir said: “After local groups had asked in vain for an extension to to the timescale for comments on the Scone housing proposal by A&J Stephen, this was suddenly reversed on Friday when the developer submitted a late addition to the original application on the subject – all of three pages.
“Until that stage there had been four comments of support and over 700 against. On Monday there were suddenly 86 comments of support for the development.”
He said: “Far be it for me to suggest that there is a correlation between the extension given to A&J Stephen and the sudden influx of comments of support – I will leave that to the good people of Scone and district to decide.”
