A multi-million-pound plan for 1,400 homes on the outskirts of Perth that looked dead and buried has been “revised”, The Courier can reveal.
Developers behind the ambitious scheme have redesigned the proposal, which will include “home zones”, a new primary school, leisure facilities and cycle routes to be built on 160 acres of land between Ruthvenfield and Huntingtowerfield.
The controversial plan was first refused by the council in December 2011 and was then removed from the local development plan a month later.
Developers the Pilkington Trust then appealed this decision to the Scottish Government and a public inquiry was held in Perth in 2012.
This appeal was dismissed but the Pilkington Trust took its fight to the Court of Session in July 2013.
This too was refused but then, in October 2013, the Scottish Government’s local development plan examination report recommended Almond Valley be incorporated into the adopted local plan.
The new masterplan was outlined to Perth and Kinross Council this week and talks then took place with Methven District Community Council.
This followed on from public events held at the Huntingtower Hotel last year.
Flood plans have been discussed with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).
Last night Jonathan Henson, head of Savills Rural, Perth, which is acting on behalf of the Pilkington Trust, said the revised plan has “integrated” the development around the River Almond into a rural setting.
“Almond Valley could help meet the city’s housing shortfall,” he told The Courier.
“Since we got the decision from the Scottish ministers the whole scheme has been redesigned.
“We have integrated the development around the River Almond into a rural setting, which was what came out of the public inquiry.
“We have appointed a landscape architect who understands rural Perthshire.
“The River Almond is at the core of what we are doing there is a massive green space between the development and the river.”
Mr Henson revealed a maximum of 100 houses will be built per year over 15 years, starting in 2017, if the plan gets approval.
The street layout, called “home zones,” will mean no pavements and new woodland being laid.
In addition, new cycle paths will be created.
Mr Henson stressed the need for housing in Perth, claiming its population is expected to rise by 10,000 over the next 15 years.
“Perth is one of Scotland’s fastest growing cities,” he said.
“There continues to be an acute need for well-designed homes in Perth, in an environment where people want to live.
“Almond Valley is allocated for housing within the council’s local development plan and it is an excellent option for the city.
“We are very aware of the natural beauty and heritage of the area and as such we have a clear vision for Almond Valley.
“We are particularly keen to sensitively preserve the countryside feel, in an area people want to live.”
Mr Henson said the plan would “focus” on good housing design, “maintaining the privacy of residents, improving road access and developing green spaces.”
“If Perth is to retain local families, encourage businesses to expand and attract new employees then there must be enough good-quality housing provided in sustainable locations,” he said.
“It is widely accepted that there are simply not enough homes for people to live in Perth and that new housing is integral to the future economic growth of the city.
“The submission of our revised masterplan is an opportunity to share our vision.”
The revised plan is expected to be lodged in the next couple of weeks.