Developers behind a plan to build 1,400 homes, a primary school and leisure features to the west of Perth have insisted their proposal is still on track.
The controversial Almond Valley project would see the settlement built on land between Ruthvenfield and Huntingtowerfield, but a “procedural” planning issue has forced the previous plan to be withdrawn and a fresh application lodged instead.
This also means that residents and businesses who have already submitted comments on the plan will have to re-submit these within the new consultation period, which has now been extended to August 15.
The plan has been lodged by the Pilkington Trust, but agents Savills, who act for the trust, state the minor boundary issues do not affect the overall plans for the site.
Alastair Wood, director of planning at Savills, said: “A procedural issue was brought to our attention which we had to address, as we obviously want to make sure the application is as accurate as possible.
“It was therefore agreed with Perth and Kinross Council that we would withdraw the original plans and re-submit the updated ones.
“As a result of this, the consultation period was extended for an additional 28 days.”
He continued: “Anybody who has already submitted comments should re-submit these within the new consultation period.”
Mr Wood said all comments received are being given careful consideration, and a newsletter responding to the most frequently asked questions will be distributed to the community in the next few days.
“We’re making every effort to listen to the community and are committed to ensuring all parties with a formal interest in the development have sufficient opportunity to comment,” he added.
“Some issues that have been raised will be addressed properly further into the process at the detailed design stage, if the planning application is approved by the council.”
Several objections have been made to the proposal, with Huntingtowerfield-based resident Arklay Guthrie opposing the plan on the basis that the site of the Almond Valley plan has a river valley associated with wildlife and fauna, has flood meadows with high ground water level, which he claims is prone to flooding, contains an ancient forest and is the route of the ancient waterway the Perth Town Lade.
Mr Wood said: “As part of the planning application we had to submit a detailed environmental impact assessment to ensure that the impact on the local environment was minimal.
“So we have already addressed the flood risk, and other environmental issues such as woodland and wildlife.”