A Perthshire business specialising in the repair and maintenance of aircraft parts has raised concerns an increase in traffic on local roads associated with a planned development could hamper its response to emergency situations.
A new company made up of trustees of the HC Pilkington Trust and developers the Stewart Milne Group have applied to modify consent granted four years ago to make a start on the Almond Valley housing project.
The pair want to lift a cap on the number of units they are allowed to build and sell on land between Almondbank and Ruthvenfield before they are obliged to form a new roundabout on the A85 connecting to the site and the Tibbermore Road.
The companies say the new roundabout is no longer a priority as they now intend to develop the site from north to south rather than from south to north and new homeowners will be able to access the wider road network using an existing roundabout.
However, a solicitor acting for Almondbank-based business Vector Aerospace has now written to Perth and Kinross Council expressing concern the companies now want to use an existing road as a primary vehicular route into the new development.
Daniel Parcell of Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP has told PKC in an official objection to the change being allowed: “The proposed upgrade of Castle Brae Road could result in increased vehicle movements and temporary restrictions, which could impact the access of emergency and other vehicles to Vector’s facility via this route.
“At the Vector facility, an extensive range of critical components for a wide variety of rotary and fixed wing aircraft and engines are repaired, overhauled, modified and tested, often on very tight timescales and, as with all operational facilities, incidents requiring emergency services can occur.
“It is vital that emergency vehicles have uninterrupted access to the facility at all times and the impact of any increase around this area during construction in particular should be considered and planned for.”
Meanwhile Methven and District Community Council has also raised an objection to the change being approved out of concern local roads are already hazardous and need improved.
The group has told PKC: “The basis of our objection is that the road system - that is the road leading northwards from the Tibbermore junction, known locally as Mill Brae, and leading eastwards to Ruthvenfield Primary - is already significantly inadequate for existing traffic and the proposed change is likely to make it worse.
“The road is too narrow in many places to allow cars to pass one another. On parts of the eastwards stretch going towards the primary school the northern side of the road is a ditch.
“Cars often have to stop and draw onto the unsurfaced verges to allow oncoming cars to pass. The route is hazardous for both motorists and pedestrians and needs improvement rather than the possibility of extra use.”
The group added: “The developer appears to have simply guessed that there will be little or no increase in the use of the road as a result of initial phases of the development from the Almond Roundabout.
“Our view is that there is bound to be an increased use of the road from the residents of the new houses at the western end of the development because it will be more direct and quicker to use Mill Brae.
“It would be entirely wrong to exacerbate an already inadequate road with more traffic. The developer is creating the problem and should come up with an answer which does not make things worse.”
It is unclear whether the application will be determined by council officers using delegated powers or will have to be referred to councillors for a final decision.
