A housing development planned for a Perth eyesore site has been welcomed.
Perth and Kinross councillors yesterday unanimously approved the first phase of more than 200 houses proposed for the former auction mart at East Huntingtower.
The site has been derelict since Perth Agricultural Centre closed and a number of previous ideas to transform the area have fallen through.
The planning and development management committee decision means work can begin on the first 43 houses by EMA Architecture and Design.
The proposal includes affordable housing, a play park and sustainable drainage system (SUDS) pond to prevent flooding.
Strathtay Conservative councillor Ian James welcomed the decision.
“I pass this on a daily basis so to see it developed is an absolute bonus,” he said.
“We are finally getting proper family homes with gardens rather than trying to maximise the number of tiny homes.”
Since the livestock mart closed, the site has been earmarked for various developments, including a gym, hotel, petrol station and Sainsbury’s supermarket.
However previous plans all floundered and the land became a magnet for fly tipping.
Almond and Earn SNP councillor Henry Anderson said: “With the state it got into with fly tipping I’m glad to see we have managed to get a developer to come forward.”
Planning in principle for the 240-home development was approved in January last year and yesterday’s decision will allow building work on phase one of five to commence.
A condition has been imposed, preventing occupation of more than 100 of the new houses before improvement work on the junction between the A9 and A85 is complete, with the aim of minimising congestion.
Concerns have also been raised that the area is considered “highly archaeologically sensitive” due to its proximity to the site of the Battle of Tippermuir, fought in 1644.
Planning officers have said the developer must determine if important remains are on the site before building begins. If so, excavations may be required.
