A community group has outlined its plans to arrest “decay” in the Bridgend area of Perth.
The Perth Left Bank Community Development Trust has received criticism from various quarters following its support for a controversial plan to build a six-floor family home on top of a C-listed building on the corner of Main Street/ West Bridge Street.
Bridgend was also the site of the recent eviction of tenants after notices were served by Perth and Kinross Council regarding a damaged wall at the back of properties in East Bridge Street.
Dave Beattie, chairman of the Perth Left Bank Community Development Trust, said he believes there has been “little focus” on the area and expressed the trust’s concerns for the future of Bridgend.
“Bridgend has been allowed to slip into decay over the years and nothing is in place to arrest or reverse this trend,” he said.
“The local development plan has no proposal to improve or upgrade the area.
“The plan does show proposals for a significant increase in housing in Perth’s left bank and, whilst the Left Bank Trust does not hold a negative view on growth in the area, we are very concerned about the poor roads and infrastructure that will suffer as more people and more vehicles come to occupy our location.”
Mr Beattie claims that Bridgend has serious traffic congestion, which will be “exacerbated” by increased population.
“The congestion already causes pollution levels in Bridgend to exceed national standards, and although there is a future likelihood of a new Tay crossing, it is not certain that this will fully resolve the pollution or congestion problems,” he added.
“A focal objective of the Perth Left Bank Community Trust is to arrest this decay in Bridgend and restore the area to an unpolluted, uncongested place.
“We would like to see many new businesses established in the area so as to return Bridgend to a vibrant shopping and eating area.
“We would wish to see many others join our trust or, at least, attend our meetings.
“We are, after all, a group of unpaid volunteers who give up much of our free time to focus on making the left bank of Perth the best place to live and work in Scotland.
“We would really appreciate input from more of the community and, especially, those who run a business in the area,” he went on.
“Clearly, whether the proposed corner development proceeds, as per the planning application, is an important and immediate issue for the residents of Bridgend, but it is one of many that we need to confront, some with similar urgency.”
Urging people in the area to make their voices heard, he added: “We would like to see the community channel more of their views and ideas through the trust and/or the very vibrant community council to ensure we can introduce well-supported steps to arrest and reverse Bridgend’s slow decline.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said the local authority has taken a “range of steps” in recent years to encourage the restoration and redevelopment of properties in the Bridgend area, as well as within the city.