The next stage of an ambitious bid for a 1,500-home village on the outskirts of Perth is poised for approval, more than 20 years after the planning application process began.
Councillors are expected to formally back a bid for 159 properties at Oudenarde, on the site of the old Bridge of Earn Hospital.
But Scotland’s roads authority has raised concerns the development could go ahead without plans in place to show how the new settlement will link safely to the busy M90.
GS Brown Construction has ploughed millions of pounds into the project over the last two decades but, so far, only 112 housing association homes have been built.
The St Madoes-based firm teamed up with national developer Taylor Wimpey to draw up plans for the next phase of two, three and four bedroom homes.
The proposal was considered by councillors in October but will go back before members of the planning and development management committee for approval on Wednesday.
Councillors will be asked to withdraw a planning condition, which was requested by Transport Scotland that GS Brown needs to submit details of improvements for the M90/A912 junctions.
However, Perth and Kinross Council’s legal team has now ruled this is not a valid condition.
A report to councillors states the applicants had expressed concerns about the condition.
Interim development quality manager Anne Condliffe said: “Traffic safety is an important consideration and we fully understand why Traffic Scotland requested this condition.”
But she said the order was invalid because it involved off-site works which were not part of the planning application, or the approved masterplan.
“The requirement for a delivery timescale for works was not adequately expressed within the condition,” she said.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We have been in discussion with Perth and Kinross Council and developers for over 10 years in respect of developments at Oudenarde, and would be concerned about the potential removal of the previously agreed planning condition.
“We have sought to promote development in accordance with the published Masterplan, whilst meeting the clear need to maintain the safety and efficiency of the road network, and this remains our position.”
A planning report states the application provides a “good mixture of open marketing housing to a wide variety of potential purchasers.”
The design has been drawn up to encourage walking and cycling. It is noted the building of the houses will have a significant impact on the local economy, during construction and in the future.
Ms Condliffe said: “According to Homes for Scotland, the development of 159 homes is predicted to provide 652 jobs (construction and afterwards) and this will impact on the level of indirect jobs that the construction activity and home owners will generate from spending on local goods and services.”
She added: “Once operational, it is predicted that new residents should help fill job vacancies and support numerous existing employers in the local area.”
She also predicts when the houses are occupied, the residents will be spending nearly £330,000 on local goods each year, making a “significant positive impact on the local area.”
