By Mark Mackay

A CONTROVERSIAL and futuristic house is set to take shape on Kingoodie Pier after the Scottish Government overruled the decision of Perth and Kinross councillors.

In February the application for the house, on a spur of land that juts into the River Tay was refused by seven votes to two.

The house was branded “totally unacceptable,” and one councillor said it was reminiscent of “space ships and aliens.”

It had been recommended for approval by council development quality manager Nick Brian, who called it “unique and contemporary.”

However, locals and councillors claimed it would have a significant adverse impact upon the picturesque area.

Prior to the development control committee’s decision, more than 3500 names were added to a petition calling for the application to be refused.

Forty letters of objection were submitted for the consideration of councillors at the planning meeting. Flooding issues, loss of views and recreational area, impact on nature conservation and an inappropriate house type were among the main grounds of objection.

However, while locals celebrated the decision to block the plans, applicant Michael Lindley has since appealed and overturned their ruling.

Wendy Matthew, who has lived in Kingoodie for a little over a year, yesterday said the community had been outraged by the Scottish Government’s decision.

“This house will take ages to build, with all the disruption that brings,” she said.

“Not only that, it will dominate the view many people have of the River Tay.

“It is all I will see when I look out.”

She added, “I am outraged that this is happening.

“This area is a nature reserve for birds. We get lots of visitors and I am certain that this development will affect that.

“I have contacted the Scottish Government and they told me where I could send my comments, but really it appears that there is nothing more we can do.

“I cannot understand how this has been allowed.”

The property will be located on the old boating pier at Kingoodie, a slim peninsula that juts into the Tay.

It will replace a number of old boating sheds that sit at the end of the pier.

A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council confirmed that the decision has been overturned on appeal, but declined to comment further.