A multi-million-pound land buyout will pave the way to a significant expansion of Scotland’s newest city.
In a bid to speed up the process, compulsory purchase orders will be submitted to the Scottish Government next month as part of the Perth Transport Future Project (PTFP).
Perth and Kinross Council plans to acquire huge swathes of land along the A9/A85 corridor so work on the first phase can get under way in December 2015.
Up to £40m will eventually be invested in the scheme, which could create between 3,000 and 5,000 jobs. It is hoped the project will open up development land by improving roads infrastructure and introducing a third River Tay crossing.
The move could be vital to the future prosperity of Perth and help the city and surrounding region prepare for predicted population growth.
Roads infrastructure manager Jillian Robinson said: “There are compelling arguments for implementing Phase 1 of the PTFP and it is therefore considered that, on balance, the public interest outweighs that of the individual landowners involved.
“It is acknowledged that these landowners will be deprived of their land, but the preferred option is favoured because, among other reasons, it reduces the land take as far as is possible.
“The landowners will receive appropriate compensation and, in addition, many will benefit from the new junction and link road providing better access to their land.
“In some cases, the affected land has development potential, but development will only be permitted if this project goes ahead.”
Contracts will be awarded in December 2015, with a view to starting by early 2016.
It is anticipated that this could last for up to two years.
The route, which will service the proposed new school at Bertha Park, is the first section of the planned Cross Tay Link Road between the A93 at Scone and the A9 and forms a major part of the local authority’s planning strategy.
It will also go some way to addressing air quality issues in Perth, which has one of the most polluted streets in Scotland.
Significant changes have been made to the proposals since they were approved in May 2012.
At the time, the North Stand of McDiarmid Park was going to be removed to make way for the new road network.
The design has since been altered to ensure the home of the Scottish Cup winners, St Johnstone, remains intact.
Money has already been secured for the scheme, which will see the construction of a new link to Bertha Park, providing access to housing sites at Almond Valley and the western edge of the city.
Funding of £23.5m was committed by the local authority in June last year, with a further £15.7m approved through borrowing last month.
Additional funds have already been secured from Sainsbury’s, which has contributed £2.18m, while proposed developments at Bertha Park and Almond Valley should result in a £15m windfall towards the scheme.
This will include provision for purchase of the required land, as well as work on the infrastructure.
In her report, Ms Robinson said: “The implementation of Phase 1 of the PFTP is essential to future growth of the city as it is the means to service the Local Development Area plan.
“This supports sustainable and economic growth and unlocks essential housing and business land throughout the Perth area by relieving pressure on the city centre.
“The A9/A85 grade separated junction (including a new footbridge) and the new link road to Bertha Park are the first stage of the project which acts as a catalyst to opening up the land to the west of Perth.”
A full council meeting will be held on Wednesday and councillors will be asked to give officers the authority to acquire land, either by negotiation or by compulsory purchase order.