A major new business park on the edge of a growing Perthshire village could attract millions of pounds of investment and create hundreds of new jobs.
Developers have set their sights on open land on the eastern outskirts of Auchterarder.
The multi-million pound estate will transform nearly 15 acres of land south of Feus Road, with designs for new office blocks and industrial units.
The proposed park has been hailed as a major boost for the economy and is expected to create around 300 direct jobs over the next 10 years.
But the scheme has come up against strong opposition from residents to the north of the site.
They are worried about excessive disturbance during years of construction, as well as the impact on breeding birds and wildlife.
Concerns about noise, visual impact, light pollution and a loss of informal recreational space – popular with dog walkers – have also been raised.
Some residents fear the new units could be a target for thieves after dark, leading to an increase in crime.
Despite these concerns, the project has been backed by Perth and Kinross Council planning chiefs.
They will encourage councillors to grant planning permission for the scheme at a meeting later this month.
Interim development quality manager Anne Condliffe supports the plan, subject to conditions. “It is recognised that the development of this site will undoubtedly result in an element of disturbance to neighbouring properties, in comparison with the status quo, due to building works and operation of new land uses,” she said.
“Consultation has been undertaken with environmental health (officers) who advise that the predicted increase in noise at existing residential property is negligible.”
She said the developers, D King Properties (Scotland) Ltd, could draw up a construction management plan to address locals’ concerns.
Ms Condliffe added: “The proposal will compliment a large-scale residential development which is under way on land to the north-west of the site.
“The submission indicates that the proposed development could provide approximately 270 to 300 jobs to the local area once fully developed.”
She added: “The creation of additional employment uses should also have a significant economic impact and provide additional choice for potential investors in the area, or those already in the Strathearn area looking to expand their business.”
One local resident warned the park would cause traffic problems and pollution on already heavily congested, and flood-prone roads.
She said: “The council is aware that many local children walk back and forth to schools in the centre of Auchterarder and is unacceptable to subject them to further degraded quality of air.”
Opponents added that local police services were already stretched.
Agents for the project leaders said the site complied with local, national and strategic planning policy.
Members of the council’s planing and development management committee will discuss the scheme at their meeting on April 11.
