A new village proposed for the Carse of Gowrie could eventually outgrow nearby neighbour Errol, according to objectors.
The plan, which will be debated by councillors on Wednesday, is for 240 houses, commercial units, a play area and infrastructure on part of disused Errol airfield.
“The proposal is for a separate village with the view that it will be a standalone development,” says Nick Brian, the council’s interim head of planning in a report.
The council has received 23 letters of objection including one from Errol Community Council.
Issues raised include the plan being out of character with the area, loss of trees, possible site flooding and concerns over road safety and traffic congestion.
The ability of Errol primary school to cope with the possibility of a potential 200 more children was thrown into doubt by Ms Fiona Ross, chair of the Carse of Gowrie Sustainability Group, who wondered if the development might not need its own school.
She also raised the fear that the 240 homes in the current application might just be a first phase.
“The plans we saw clearly indicated the capacity for a further 200 or so houses to be built in the future bringing this development in the long term to nearly 2,000 people – a community which is larger than the village (Errol) itself,” she said.
“We would suggest that this is not sustainable for village amenities, ie it already takes over a week to get an appointment at the Errol surgery.”
She also said the group was unimpressed with the design by current standards.
“There seems to be missed opportunities with the plan, in general, in creating the vision of a 21st Century sustainable community – a showcase for Perth and Kinross Council,” she said. “For example district heating, wind turbine, electric car charge station, and strong public amenities.”
The impact on Errol was picked up by objector Anya Kettles who said: “Errol has been over developed during the last decade.
“ Local amenities are greatly stretched. The primary school has had to be extended twice, the GP surgery is being sold. The village has lost its bank, library, three pubs in the time I have lived here.
“ It would be in the interest of the community to be building a sports centre instead of a housing development.”
The site does have extant in principle planning permission, notes Mr Brian, saying that this is a significant material consideration.
Mr Brian recommends approval in his report to the development management committee, subject to conditions.
