St Johnstone Football Club is poised to drop its objection to a controversial roadworks plan, clearing the way for a massive expansion on the edge of Perth.
The Saints are battling to block Perth and Kinross Council’s so-calledcrematorium road project, which will connect the city with development land at Inveralmond and Bertha Park and create thousands of jobs and homes.
The proposed relief route is planned for land next to McDiarmid Park and the club’s management claims it could see the loss of a crucial training pitch. The council is using compulsory purchase powers to buy the land and Scottishministers have called a public inquiry to determine if the work can proceed.
Now, St Johnstone has indicated it is close to reaching a compromise deal with the council and is considering withdrawing its objection to the compulsory purchase order. In a letter to the government’s appeals division, which is leading the inquiry, club representative Jim Low asked for extra time to submit its written testimonial and to “allow our negotiations with the council to progress”.
He added: “We believe that there is the prospect of a settlement that would permit the club to withdraw its objection and that resources may be best spenton that exercise, rather than onpreparation of the Statement of Case.”
Though the council faces objections from the Pilkington Trust, the Stewart Milne Group and the trustees of Robert Reid, St Johnstone’s opposition has been by far the biggest stumbling block.
A council spokeswoman declined to comment on the letter but confirmed negotiations with the club are ongoing.
The road will also run through woods beside Perth Crematorium, a move described by opponents as “cold blooded” and “heartless” because it will disrupt land where hundreds of ashes have been scattered.
No one from St Johnstone wasavailable for comment.