A Travelling family’s plans for an encampment in Kinross-shire to make room for their extended group of relatives has been described as “inappropriate” by a local politician.
Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, told The Courier she has been made aware of a “number of concerns” by residents surrounding the proposed site at Mawcarse crossroads near the A91.
Construction work has already started and the application has been lodged in retrospect.
The planned encampment would include five caravans, a play area, a utility unit housing toilets, showers, laundry facilities, parking and a security gate.
There are also plans to build a patio and decking at the permanent site, which is located south-east of the A91, around 240 metres north-east of Mawcarse crossroads.
Mr and Mrs Archie Stewart have bought the land at the site and say they want the encampment to help their family with “extended household needs” as there is “no available, adequate secure pitch provision”.
The land in question was used as a car park serving the Laighland stables facility and as a horse-holding paddock.
Ms Smith said that local authorities must listen to neighbouring residents over such matters.
“I have already received a number of concerns expressed from local residents regarding the proposal,” she told The Courier.
“It is vital that Perth and Kinross Council engage and listen to local people and take on board their objections.”
She continued: “The inappropriate siting of such encampments is an extremely sensitive issue and local people must be at the heart of any discussions and decision.
“The Scottish Government is putting pressure on councils across Scotland to supply more traveller encampment sites. Above all, when these sort of applications come forward, the views of local people must come first.”
Councillor Mike Barnacle, one of the representatives for the Kinross-shire ward, added: “All the council members for Kinross-shire have concerns about the proliferation of travelling sites in this area.”
A supporting statement lodged by Forbes Marr, planning consultant for the Stewarts,says that the proposed plan involves the establishment of an “extended gypsy/traveller” household pitch, to “account” for the accommodation needs of the extended family, providing for the pitching of a maximum of five caravans, one of which will be occupied by Mr and Mrs Stewart.
“They also provide for touring-style caravan types that will cater for time spent on the road a core element of the lifestyle of this ethnic minority group, of which the applicants are self-declared members,” the statement adds.
The statement stresses that the Stewart family is “locked” into local health services, as well as education, having well-established local connections with Kinross, Greenacres and Milnathort.
It claims that the plan will not “detract” from the landscape or visual character of the area.
“It should be scarcely visible from both the public domain and rural development to the south-west,” the statement adds.
“The site already has a potable water supply and electricity and there are detailed provisions for sanitation, toilets, laundry and bathing.”
The statement says: “Their commitment to the strictest of site order and cleanliness is self-evident.”
Forbes Marr last night stressed the Stewarts are “local” and have lived for years in the Mawcarse area.