A Carse of Gowrie community council has welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to back refusal of a major housing development.
Plans were first submitted in late 2017 to build 66 houses at the H24 site on the north-eastern edge of Inchture.
Developers Hadden Construction, based in Auchterarder, had planned for a drainage pond, landscaping and other infrastructure as part of the project.
In a design statement, bosses said they “aspire to build a new housing development that will meet and exceed today’s expectations for a modern housing scheme” and that “the development will take inspiration from existing dwellings in the area in order to blend in with its surroundings.”
The proposals racked up almost 60 objections from local residents, farmers and business owners who expressed fears over traffic, noise and loss of amenity.
Taking heed of the residents’ outcry, council planners chose to knock back the application in March.
However, housebuilders Hadden chose to take the decision higher and proceeded to launch an appeal with the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division.
The company sent their plea to Holyrood reporters in June but have been told that the local authority was correct to knock back the proposals.
In the response, the reporter said: “The proposed development does not accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan and that there are no material considerations which would still justify granting planning permission. ”
This was the response that Inchture Community Council had hoped for, having campaigned against the development.
A spokesperson for the watchdog group said: “The appeal to try and overturn the council’s rejection of the housing development at ‘The Gypsy Field’ has been unsuccessful.
“As such, this brings an end to the current application which we know is a relief to many within the village of Inchture.
“Whilst this land has been earmarked for housing on the local development plan for many years, it is pleasing to note that the strong objections from local residents and businesses were taken into consideration.
“That said, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a further application in the future and should that happen then we will, as always, consider the application on its merits and support or oppose as appropriate.”
