The Scottish Government has strong-armed controversial housing proposals into a major development plan, The Courier can reveal.
Perth and Kinross Council will be forced to accept an application to create a new village on the outskirts of Perth that had previously been refused.
Despite winning the support of the Court of Session, the local authority has no other choice but to approve the Pilkington Trust’s bid to build 1,500 homes, a primary school and leisure, retail and office facilities near Huntingtower and Ruthvenfield.
The Almond Valley development was backed by the Government’s Local Development Plan Examination Report.
It recommends the site be incorporated into the adopted plan, just months after a public inquiry by the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) concluded that the proposals were “premature”.
Council leader Ian Miller said that he was “surprised” by some of the recommendations made in the document but they must now be followed by the local authority.
“The examination report is a very substantial document and it will take some time for our officers to examine the full detail of its recommendations,” he said.
“We have, however, noticed several of the Reporter’s recommendations that differ from those put forward by the council.”
“I note that the reporter has included a site at Almond Valley for a significant number of houses, which is contrary to a decision taken by the council.
“I would remind everyone that we are required to adopt the conclusions and recommendations set out by the Scottish Government’s reporter.”
A number of other decisions have also raised eyebrows, including changes to the Perth West site near Broxden.
Ambitious plans for 3,000 homes and a primary school have been significantly reduced, with the report only allowing for 550 properties with either employment space or an educational facility.
Several smaller sites designated as employment land have also been scrapped, along with proposed housing at Burrelton, Wolfhill, Forgandenny, Abernethy, Clathymore and Longforgan.
Mr Miller said: “I am surprised at the removal of several smaller employment sites that we had proposed, in particular one site in Kinross.
“One of key strategies is to deliver additional employment and sustainable economic development opportunities to areas across Perth and Kinross, so this is a disappointment.”
The amendments have been welcomed by some, however.
Councillor Willie Robertson said he was “unhappy” about zoning the land west of Kinross and revealed he was “delighted” that his concerns have been noted.
Overall, the recommendations in the report are in line with the policies and strategies put forward by the council. In addition, the majority of the suggested alterations submitted for examination were also adopted.
“This is a testament to the diligence of our officers,” said Mr Miller.
“As a result, we are a step closer to the adoption of the new Local Development Plan, which is vitally important for the future of all our local communities.”
The council has three months to consider the findings before publishing a modified plan. The report can be viewed online at www.pkc.gov.uk/ldpexamination.