FEARS OVER flooding have delayed a decision on a controversial housing development.
Councillors and residents expressed their concerns that building five new properties on farmland at Errol would cause chaos during times of heavy rain.
Despite investigations by Sepa (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) and Perth and Kinross Council’s flooding team concluding that there is no adverse risk, those opposing the plans remain unconvinced.
They were left sceptical by architect Ian Gaul’s claims that, according to independent research, building the homes 500mm higher would prevent them being affected.
Among those objecting was Marilyn Webb, who owns a property close to Myreside Farm. She described the revised plans as “misleading”.
“If the land level was to be raised, this would cause any floodwater to run off into adjacent dwellings, causing a significant increase in what is already a known flooding area,” she said.
“As the planning officer similarly stated, the proposal is not considered to be in accordance with the local development plan, plus there are numerous issues that have not been properly addressed.”
Fellow resident and former land manager Douglas Allan shared these concerns and also told the committee that he believed the development would “significantly” affect agricultural business, as the surrounding land is still in use.
Their statements were dismissed by development quality manager Nick Brian. He said: “The key issue that has been raised is the flood risk for the site.
“This has been considered in great detail and given due consideration by the reporter.
“These have been fully discussed with SEPA and flooding officers and they are satisfied that development can go ahead.”
Councillor Callum Gillies, however, asked for the proposals to be deferred and was supported by four other councillors.
He said that he was “very concerned” that the area was not suitable for additional housing.
“I am not convinced this is a safeguard for people who are going to buy into that area and find that, in years to come, they are going to be flooded,” he added.
sgray@thecourier.co.uk