A survey has revealed overwhelming opposition to a huge housing expansion at one of Scotland’s biggest villages.
Nearly half the population of Scone voted in a poll to gauge support for 700 new homes on the edge of the village.
The results show that more than 98% are against the development. They say it should not go ahead before the long-awaited Cross Tay Link Road – which will connect Scone with the A9 – has been put in place.
The questionnaire, which was carried out by members of the community council, also revealed that 96.1% were against allowing a first phase of 100 houses before the bridge is ready.
And 1,151 of the 1,190 households which replied said that Scone could not absorb an increase in traffic.
The results of the survey were handed over to officials at Perth and Kinross Council on Wednesday. Around 30 residents with placards and banners staged a demonstration in the grounds of the local authority’s headquarters.
The housing plan was first raised in 2007 and a poll conducted by the council at the time showed 80% were opposed.
The latest plan, by construction firm A&J Stephen, was unveiled earlier this year. The company wants to build on acres of farmland between Spoutswell Drive and Angus Road.
If approved, the local population could soar by almost half. Opponents argue that the development will lead to a huge increase in congestion and a rise in pollution problems.
Resident Jill Belch, who is a professor at the University of Dundee’s school of medicine, said the housing plan could have a major, negative impact on the health of local people.
“There was a recent QC ruling which makes it illegal for an authority to allow a development which could exacerbate pollution problems where there is a known risk,” she said.
“If this went ahead without the new bridge, the risks would be unacceptable and would have very harmful effects on people of all ages, from womb to tomb.”
Locals are also worried that the project will destroy wildlife and nature including pine martens, roe deer and ancient trees.
A spokesman for the community council’s study group, which was set up to assess Stephen’s application, said: “Once the trees are gone, the wildlife will disappear too. Its all very well for a company to say its going to plant more trees, but that simply isn’t going to work.
“We are not being ‘nimby’ about this. We want to protect this land for residents, as well as the many, many visitors who come here.”
Local councillor Dennis Melloy said he was “absolutely astonished” that nearly 50% of the village voted. “It has been a tremendous effort by the community council.”
Councillor Lewis Simpson added: “We have incontrovertible proof that the majority of residents are against this plan. If it is approved, it will be forced upon the people of Scone against their wishes.”
Developer John Stephen said: “The land at North Scone has been identified by Perth and Kinross Council for residential development in the adopted Local Development Plan. This decision was taken several years ago by the council so the principal of housing on this land had already been established.”
He said: “As a firm of local housebuilders, we are simply bringing forward our plans to meet that need, and which we are confident fulfil the council’s requirements.
“We recognise, as with any large scale, proposed planning application, that a range of feedback will be submitted and strong views raised and it is unfortunate when some views are based on misleading information. As part of the statutory planning process, all feedback will be taken on board.”
