Green light for farmland housing development plan despite objections

Villagers left upset over decision on prime agricultural area

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

Councillors have unanimously granted planning permission (in principle) for a housing development on prime agricultural land in a rural Perthshire village.

There were 38 objections to the proposal with Wolfhill residents concerned about the impact of further expansion of their small village.

Perth and Kinross Council's Planning and Placemaking Committee met to consider the application - submitted by Perth charity The Guildry - on Wednesday, October 8.

The Guildry Incorporation of Perth submitted a planning application in principle for a development, with an indicative site plan showing seven houses, on part of an arable field next to the village’s Dunsinnan Road.

According to the report of handling - put before the committee: “The site is ‘white land’ and whilst not specifically allocated for housing in LDP2 [Local Development Land 2] it provides an opportunity for a small-scale infill residential development.”

Mike Taylor addressed the committee on behalf of concerned villagers.

Dr Taylorwho chairs Wolfhill 2038 - said: “The community - had it been consulted - would have participated in finding an agreed solution and avoiding objection.