The number of objections lodged against a controversial housing development plan for west Perth are mounting, with some residents stating they have “profound concerns”.
Methven and District Community Council has submitted an objection to the Almond Valley plan to Perth and Kinross Council.
It has been joined by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), which opposes the plan due to a “lack of information” on flood matters and possible radioactive substances.
These objections follow on from Almondbank-based engineering firm Vector Aerospace, which claimed Savills agents for developers the Pilkington Trust did not notify it of pre-consultation.
The plan which would see 1,500 homes built, along with a primary school and leisure facilities, on land between Ruthvenfield and Huntingtowerfield has had a chequered history, having initially been rejected by the council.
It is understood the latest proposal will go before council chiefs in October.
Kenny Simpson, chairman of Methven and District Community Council, said: “While we have lived with various development proposals for this major site for many years, we believe that the current plan is unsupportable.
“We also think that of the competing proposals for major residential sites at the present time, this is the least worthy of support, and that Bertha Park and Perth West are both preferable to Almond Valley.”
He continued: “For over 20 years local residents have emphasised, again and again, that they value the village character and don’t want to be engulfed by the expanding city of Perth.
“They see the small villages being swamped and see Almondbank and Pitcairngreen also losing their identity.
“This proposal would definitely be at their expense.”
A letter submitted by Sepa states the scheme “may place buildings and persons” at flood risk, and the body has asked for information about radioactive substances following a radiological survey.
It alludes to the “possibility” of radioactive contamination due to the planned site being a former Ministry of Defence base.
Jonathan Henson, head of rural property for Scotland at Savills, said: “There have been a number of comments lodged regarding the proposed Almond Valley settlement, all of which are extremely useful in highlighting the key concerns. We will be taking all of these on board.
“We have to find a balance between meeting their needs and ensuring long-term, sustainable economic growth for Perth, as one of Scotland’s fastest-growing cities.”