LARGE SCALE Scottish developments could help save the troubled Errol Brickworks, it was claimed yesterday.

Developers behind a major housing plan for the Carse believe their scheme and others, including billionaire Donald Trump’s golf resort development in Aberdeenshire, could see the firm reborn.

Morris Leslie have already backed the use of local materials in their 240-home Errol airfield scheme, and a spokesman said yesterday that he hoped the plea for assistance would reach others in a position to help.

Errol Brick began operation in 1994, but a brickworks in one guise or another has been a feature of life in the Carse since the 1870s.

However, it was revealed on Wednesday that the firm has now been moth-balled, with its reputation for quality unable to save it from the catastrophic effects of price war.

While in the short term the future is clearly bleak, and all 27 staff have been told they face redundancy, Perth and Kinross Provost Dr John Hulbert said yesterday that he believes Errol Brick could still have a long-term future.

The most likely initial source of salvation could come from a second respected local firm—Morris Leslie Ltd.

They have been given the green light to create a new village on a brownfield site at Errol airfield.

And Morris Leslie have suggested to developers that locally-sourced bricks be used in the construction of the development.

A spokesman said yesterday, “We have said that we will ask the developer who builds the houses to consider using Errol Brick—and also that in the landscaping they use natural trees from Scotland—as a way of supporting local business.”

While the spokesman said it was impossible to “build in” the stipulation that a developer use local materials, he said it could make excellent sense.

“It seems senseless to import brick from the other end of the country when there is quality product on our doorstep, though the prices will have to be competitive.”

And the spokesman said that there could yet be further, even greater, opportunities to breathe new life into Errol Brick.

“Of course you can’t just make people do anything, but I am sure that if someone were to approach the Donald Trump development for example and let them known that there is a “little brickworks” here in Scotland that could fulfil their needs then they would consider using it.”

Provost Hulbert meanwhile said he hopeed the Errol airfield development could offer some hope for the firm.

“Consent has been given and there will now be an Errol airfield development,” said Dr Hulbert, who is one of the Carse of Gowrie’s three councillors.

“However, there are still a lost of boxes to tick before the developers can start building.

“The best estimates are that it could be six to nine months at the earliest before work begins.

“In the meantime, Errol Brick has been moth-balled. However, it can be re-opened again in the future.”

At present, brick prices are very depressed, in large part due to a price war among the larger English companies, something that is causing problems for smaller producers.

Prices are the same as 12 years ago, while fuel prices—Errol Brick is heavily reliant on gas in its production—have soared.

Provost Hulbert is however confident that this will change.

“Once the situation improves and once there is a local outlet for the bricks (the Errol airfield development) then Errol Brick can re-open and still have a long future.”