Residents in Scone who fear their community could soon be surrounded by thousands of new homes have been urged to step out in force to help shape the area’s future.
A public consultation on a revised blueprint for Perthshire which has “set alarm bells ringing” is being staged.
Earlier this week The Courier revealed concerns over proposals to remove a huge section of protected greenbelt to the north of the village.
It has sparked fears that the land could be cleared for future housing, paving the way for up to 10,000 properties.
The village already faces separate plans to create 700 homes on land between Spoutswells Drive and Angus Road.
Perth and Kinross Council has put its revised Local Development Plan on display at Perth Concert Hall.
All feedback from the session will be used to shape the new masterplan, which will help guide and inform future planning decisions and investments.
Scone councillor Lewis Simpson encouraged locals to attend the talks.
“I hope that the public will go along and speak to planning officers and get all the information about what is planned for their area,” he said.
“This will be of particular interest to those in Scone and the surrounding area who have expressed concern about development proposals for Scone North.”
He said: “Perth and Kinross Council is duty bound to listen to the views of residents and to take them into account when finalising the latest Local Development Plan (LDP) and I am sure this event will be useful to those preparing to submit their comments before the deadline of March 16.”
Local councillor Dennis Melloy said he had also been approached by concerned Scone residents.
“They have expressed very strong feelings at the possibility of these houses being built on greenbelt land.
“The publication of this report and the associated consultation provides the opportunity for everyone to voice their opinion within Perth and Kinross and ensure they are involved in shaping the final content of the next LDP.”
Community councillor and retired civil engineer Donald McKerracher said plans to create roundabouts along the edge of the greenbelt area had set alarm bells ringing.
“We want to know what they have planned for this area,” he said.
The council proposal states: “It would be beneficial to allocate more land in the north-west portion of the site to achieve a more sustainable design solution.
“The preferred option is to redefine the boundary.”
The consultation at Perth Concert Hall runs from 11am to 3pm.