Kinross-shire is being swamped by new build homes because the local authority keeps waving through excessive housing applications, claim objectors.
Perth and Kinross Council has come under fire for allowing house builders to push the boundaries of guidelines for building new homes.
The Local Development Plan is a statutory document that identifies the land use and sets the housing numbers for specific sites.
Ken Miles, of the Kinross-shire Civic Trust, said: “Developers seeking to build in the Perth and Kinross (PKC) area are applying for and being granted housing numbers well in excess of that agreed in the PKC Local Development Plan.
“This is a matter I think needs an answer in the public interest given the several hundred further new houses that are being sought by larger developers which threaten to overwhelm services and jeopardise the quality of environment currently employed by the community.”
Mr Miles highlighted that in June the old Kinross High School site, although having an allocation for 70 units, was granted 91 units, a 30 per cent increase, to developers Persimmon Homes.
He added: “A site in Pace Hill in Milnathort is allocated for 50 units but developers have recently given a presentation of plans which seek 80 units, a 60 per cent increase.”
Kinross Community Council has also objected to plans for a major expansion of some 300 housing units north of Lathro, again by Persimmon Homes,
The council believe the number of houses is too dense for the site, for which the LDP recommends a figure of 260, with reference made to only 140 units up to the year 2024.
Kinross-shire independent councillor Mike Barnacle said: “I’ve always been of the view that the level of growth that the area is encompassing is neither desirable nor sustainable.
“As far as developers coming forward with greater numbers than what’s in the plan, that is indeed a feature of a number of applications.
“Although it would be acceptable to have one or two minor deviations from the recommended numbers for various reasons, I think large deviations should be avoided.
“I think there is a tendency to push for it by the development sector. I think there is a tendency to accommodate it by the planning department.”
“It’s always better if the planning department pay close attention to how accurately the application is following the remit of the LDP. I would hope that our planning department would do that but I suspect they are under pressure to be lenient.”
Perth and Kinross Council stated that potential development numbers stated in the Local Development Plan are indicative and not based on detailed design considerations.
A spokesperson said: “Where detailed applications come forward and can demonstrate that higher numbers can be accommodated without compromising design principles they may be approved.
“Consideration is also given to service and infrastructure capacity and the ability to accommodate the development.”
