Swathes of trees on the site of Perth’s old livestock market will be chopped down to tackle an invasion of giant hogweed, it has emerged.
Developers need to eradicate nearly two acres of the problematic plant before pushing ahead with their bid to transform the land into housing.
On Tuesday, councillors approved proposals for nearly 240 properties on the historic East Huntingtower site.
The plans were submitted by Barratt North Scotland, which has already started work on the first stage of the project.
There was some concern about the methods of getting rid of invasive giant hogweed, which has been found growing across the 30-acre plot.
The species is known to spread aggressively and can cause severe toxic skin irritation in people and animals. Its presence can also lower house prices.
According to a management plan, “almost 7,000 sq m of trees of varying species and maturity will need to be either felled and removed from site, or felled and chipped where they stand”.
The move was questioned by Liberal Democrat councillor, deputy provost Willie Wilson.
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“Is someone being serious that we tear out a line of trees because of hogweed?” he said.
“There are methods of dealing with this species and I find it difficult to believe we have to fell trees to get rid of hogweed, and then bury it.
“It will come back to bite us again if we do that.”
Council officer Jamie Scott, team leader (major applications and enforcement), said the work was necessary.
“The applicant was asked to provide an invasive species management plan. The strategy is in accordance with what SEPA and SNH would require,” he said.
“The difficulty with hogweed is that if you leave any trace, in any shape or form, it can obviously re-germinate and grow again.
“The removal of the trees is necessary because there may be spores or parts of the plants that aren’t visible but lying dormant on the site.”
Mr Scott said: “The only way to categorically get rid of them would to be clear the entire area, which unfortunately does mean removing trees.”
Members of the planning and development committee were told a huge pit will be dug on the site to bury any traces of the plant.
The first phase of the redevelopment – 42 homes on the eastern edge – was approved earlier this year.
When the livestock mart closed the site was earmarked for a multi-million pound Sainsbury’s store but this plan foundered and in recent years, it has been blighted by fly-tipping.
Since 2004, planning permission has been requested for various developments on the site, including a gym, hotel and petrol station.
