By Richard Burdge

A PROPOSAL to allow housing development of a greenfield site on Perth’s Kinnoull Hill has been defended by the owners.

Although moves to zone two fields next to St Mary’s Monastery for housing have angered some people, the monastery maintains it would free vital funds for restoring the listed building.

“Any inferred disadvantage brought about by a sensitive small development in the field owned by St Mary’s Monastery will be far outweighed by benefits for hill users and Perth in general which will accrue from the monastery’s restoration plans,” said a monastery spokesman.

The B-listed monastery—which was designed by Perth’s most celebrated architect, Andrew Heiton, in the 1860s—is in need of major repairs and maintenance.

Due to financial restrictions, the owners of St Mary’s see the sale of the land as necessary for its long-term preservation.

The monastery attracts 2000 visitors a year, for an average stay of three days per person, bringing a substantial boost to the local economy, they say.

The redevelopment of St Mary’s crypt as a venue for music, drama and community uses is in the pipeline at a cost of around £80,0000.

The project which has won the support of the Perthshire Big Tree Heritage and Access Project.

The monastery trustees had approached Perth and Kinross Council to see if the fields could be included in the area local plan as suitable for housing.

This suggestion, with another by the Kinnoull Estate Trust for housing on fields bounded by Corsiehill Road, Muirhall Road and Corsie Village, came under fire from the Kinnoull Woodland Park Users’ Group.

The group’s chairman Norman Renfrew said both plans, if allowed to proceed, would affect the landscape setting of Kinnoull Hill.

“The further spread of housing into open land is most unwelcome and it is hoped that Perth and Kinross Council will hold firm on their green belt proposals,” said Mr Renfrew.

He was backed by John Fletcher, of Gannochy Avenue.

He said that while the sites might be owned by St Mary’s and the estate trust, nothing should be allowed to encroach on the beauty spot.

Mr Fletcher said Lord Dewar gifted Kinnoull Hill to the people of Perth in 1924 to ensure its long-term protection.

“This area, one of the most picturesque, should be left for the people of Perth and its many visitors to enjoy and view,” he said.

He also claimed there is an obsession with housing in the council and called for councillors to turn their thoughts to addressing retail and business needs.

The issue will be debated later this year when councillors will discuss what should be included in the Perth area local plan, which is the development strategy for coming years.