A controversial plan for a major new housing scheme at Perth will come before one of Scotland’s top law courts, The Courier can reveal.
The Pilkington Trust’s contentious Almond Valley proposal will be considered by the Court of Session following its rejection by Government ministers.
Perth and Kinross Council refused the initial idea of 1,800 homes in December, 2011, and it was removed from the local development plan a month later.
If passed, a primary school and leisure, retail and office facilities would also have been built, in addition to the housing development built on land next to Huntingtowerfield and Ruthvenfield, to the west of Perth.
The Pilkington Trust appealed the local authority’s refusal to the Scottish Government and this led to a public inquiry being held last July, at which representatives from all concerned parties attended.
During the hearing, it was established that the Almond Valley Village plan had reduced the number of homes to 1,500.
Following the public inquiry, the Scottish Government’s Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) reporter, Katrina Rice, dismissed the Pilkington Trust’s appeal on the basis that “conformity with the development plan is outweighed by conflict with the emerging local development plan.”
In her findings, Ms Rice stated: “I have considered all other matters raised both before and during the inquiry and hearing sessions. I find none to alter my conclusion that this appeal should be dismissed.”
The Almond Valley proposal attracted 51 representations supporting the removal of the site from the local development plan and five seeking its reinstatement.
The Courier has now learnt that the Pilkington Trust have appealed the Scottish Government Reporter’s decision to the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
In addition, there may be another hearing held by the DPEA in Perth, where further submissions could be heard.
Alastair Wood, planning director with Savills, who act on behalf of the Pilkington Trust, previously claimed that he felt the Almond Valley plan “remains” the “most desirable” proposal for strategic housing in north-west Perth.
He had said: “It’s (the Reporter’s dismissal) a shame as this creates a further delay and causes uncertainty for development and economic growth for Perth.”
A spokesperson for the DPEA confirmed the matter will now be heard at the Court of Session.
She said: “Scottish Ministers appointed a reporter to consider an appeal against the decision of Perth and Kinross Council to refuse planning permission in principle for a residential led development to provide up to 1,800 new homes, a primary school, leisure, retail and office facilities on land adjacent to Huntingtowerfield and Ruthvenfield, Perthshire.
“The Reporter dismissed the appeal after careful consideration of all the information submitted, including a series of inquiry and hearing sessions. The inquiry session dealt with transportation matters.
“The hearing sessions dealt with the environmental impact assessment, the impact on Double Dykes caravan site, the development plan background-reasons for refusal and planning conditions.
“The decision is currently the subject of an appeal to the Court of Session. As this legal process is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for Scottish Ministers to comment further at this stage.”
A three-day hearing will take place next month.