Developers seeking to build in one of Perth’s most scenic areas have lost their appeal to the Scottish Government after it was decided the scheme could detract from views of the town.
Edinburgh firm Edinmore Properties Ltd wanted to build four luxury homes next to Bellwood Park on the lower slopes of Kinnoull Hill.
The outline scheme attracted an avalanche of objections to council planners, as well as opposition from the community council and Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and was rejected by the authority earlier this year.
Councillors deemed the greenbelt development, within the area of great landscape value (AGLV) around Perth, was contrary to local plans and would seriously harm the character of the area.
The site on Kinnoull Hill sits adjacent to Bellwood Park and Fernhill House, and near to the newly extended boundary of the Kinnoull Conservation Area.
In an appeal ruling Scottish Government reporter Donald Harris agreed with the council.
He said, “The appeal site is included in the AGLV around Perth. The site is on the lower slopes of Kinnoull Hill, which rises from the River Tay as a dominant landscape feature on the east side of the city.
“Seen from Tay Street, which follows the west bank of the river in particular from the section between Queen’s Bridge and the railway bridge the upper part of the hill is well wooded and only a limited number of buildings are present, all on the lower slopes.”
He added, “From the housing site, which consists of overgrown grassland, there are extensive views of the southern part of the city.
“The appellant argues that the four proposed dwellings could be sited so that they would not be easily seen from a distance if advantage were taken of the screening effect of trees and the lie of the land.”‘Absolutely the right decision’Mr Harris said, “Although I accept that the housing site is less steep than surrounding land, I have no doubt that buildings here would be seen from many points, including from Tay Street.
“It is also argued that the site makes no positive contribution to the AGLV. In my view this is not so.”
He added, “Although there is development to the north at a similar height (and higher), this westward salient of the AGLV serves a positive purpose as part of a fine landscape.
“Kinnoull Hill is seen to have a significant area of its lower slopes free of buildings.
“If the housing site were developed, the AGLV would be pushed further away from the city. This would be to the detriment of the public’s enjoyment of the landscape setting of Perth.”
Councillor Heather Stewart said, “I’m delighted that the reporter has come back and said to them he is refusing the planning application and I was one of the objectors right from the outset.
“You would have been able to see it from all over Perth and we have so few greenfield sites left with so much wonderful wildlife and the beautiful park there.
“There would also have been major access problems which could have made locals’ lives misery so it’s absolutely the right decision.”