A government official’s decision to grant developers permission to press on with two controversial developments in Kinross-shire on appeal on the same day has been described as a “democratic outrage” by a local councillor.
Perth and Kinross Council’s planning committee refused to grant Springfield Properties consent to build 67 houses at Pitdownies Farm in Milnathort last year after concerns were raised some of the proposed properties lacked sufficient garden space.
Six months later, the same committee refused Persimmon Homes permission to add 169 more homes to its Lathro Meadows development in Kinross over concerns about overdevelopment of the site as well as impacts on traffic and water quality at Loch Leven.
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However, a reporter working for the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) signalled he was minded to grant Springfield Properties permission for the Pitdownies Farm scheme in July last year after the company appealed against the committee’s decision.
Now the same reporter, David Buylla, has said he is minded to do the same with Persimmon Homes after it similarly appealed against the committee’s decision last October.
Mr Buylla sent out his notice of decision the same day he confirmed in writing he is now fully prepared to overrule Perth and Kinross Council’s decision about Pitdownies Farm as well.
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He said in his decision on Lathro Meadows: “A lower density of development would relate better to older elements of the existing built environment and might make a more positive visual contribution to the settlement.
“However, the proposal that is before me would relate well to the preceding phase of the Lathro Meadows development and would not conflict with or detract from older, lower-density developments.
“Overall, I am satisfied that what is proposed would respect the character and amenity of the locality and contribute positively to its surroundings.”
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Addressing concerns raised about water quality at Loch Leven, Mr Bullya added: “In its response to this proposal, NatureScot confirms that it is satisfied that, subject to planning conditions providing control over construction works and the means of surface and foul water disposal, an adverse effect on the integrity of [Loch Leven] could be avoided.
“That conclusion was supported by council officers in the report of handling.
“Having considered all of the submitted evidence, I am satisfied that I have sufficient information on all reasonably foreseeable risks to carry out an appropriate assessment. My finding is that, with appropriate mitigation in place, there would not be an adverse effect on the integrity of the [loch].”
Kinross-shire councillor Callum Purves said of the latest developments in the two cases: “This is a democratic outrage.
“Local residents are sick to the back teeth of unelected Scottish Government bureaucrats riding roughshod over local democracy and overturning decisions taken by local councillors.
“This latest application for the Lathro Meadows development tries to cram yet more houses onto a site that is already bursting at the seams and completely throws the Local Development Plan out the window.
“It fails to have any regard for concerns about Loch Leven, drainage, road safety or pressure on local infrastructure in Kinross and wider Kinross-shire.”
