A contentious proposal to construct up to 175 new homes on a significant portion of Perth’s Craigie Hill golf course is poised for rejection, primarily due to serious concerns over flood risk that could compromise access routes to the site.
Perth and Kinross Council planners have strongly advised against the development, highlighting that both the primary entry road, Low Road, and the designated emergency access point, Woodside Crescent, are vulnerable to becoming impassable during periods of significant flooding. This assessment marks a critical hurdle for the developers, as the integrity of safe access is paramount for any new residential area.
The current state of local infrastructure adds to the complexity. While there is a planned flood alleviation scheme for the Craigie Burn culvert at Queen’s Avenue, which could potentially ensure safe access in the future, it remains in its design phase with an uncertain completion timeline. This leaves a significant gap in mitigating the immediate flood risks identified by both the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the council’s own transport planning experts. Greenbelt Integrity and Traffic Concerns
Beyond the immediate flooding issues, the planning department has also raised objections to the scale of the development. They deem the construction of 175 houses on what is currently greenbelt land as excessive, arguing that it would negatively impact the distinctive landscape surrounding this part of Perth. The greenbelt designation serves to protect the city’s unique character and prevent uncontrolled urban expansion, a principle the planners feel would be undermined by this proposal.
Furthermore, the council’s report notes a critical oversight in the developer’s transport assessment. It failed to adequately consider the anticipated increase in traffic volume stemming from the recently approved Aldi supermarket on the nearby Necessity Brae. The addition of hundreds of new households, coupled with increased retail traffic, could exacerbate existing congestion, further straining local roads already under pressure.
Local residents have voiced a mixed response to the plans. Official figures show 215 expressions of support for the application, contrasting with 107 objections. Many of the concerns raised by those opposing the development have consistently focused on the recurring issue of flooding in the Craigie area, which has experienced severe inundation multiple times in recent years. A Balancing Act: Club’s Future vs. Community Risk
The Craigie Hill Golf Club, which has partnered with Perth-based firm Kilmac on this venture, asserts that the housing development is vital for its long-term financial viability. The 114-year-old institution reportedly faces annual losses exceeding £25,000, a situation club captain Dave Mitchell has previously described as ‘completely unsustainable.’ He has stressed the potential impact on staff livelihoods, portraying the housing scheme as a necessary measure to secure the club’s future as a cherished local amenity.
However, the planning department’s recommendation explicitly states that the golf club’s financial predicament is not considered to carry sufficient weight to override the fundamental planning considerations, such as flood risk and greenbelt policy. This indicates a strong stance by the council to prioritise environmental and infrastructure concerns over the economic arguments presented by the club.
Given the significant deviation from the established Local Development Plan, the application will not be decided by the regular planning committee but will instead be put before the full Perth and Kinross Council for a definitive vote. This crucial meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, at 10 am, where the fate of this controversial development and the future of a significant Perth green space will be decided.
Perth and Kinross Council planners have strongly advised against the development, highlighting that both the primary entry road, Low Road, and the designated emergency access point, Woodside Crescent, are vulnerable to becoming impassable during periods of significant flooding. This assessment marks a critical hurdle for the developers, as the integrity of safe access is paramount for any new residential area.
The current state of local infrastructure adds to the complexity. While there is a planned flood alleviation scheme for the Craigie Burn culvert at Queen’s Avenue, which could potentially ensure safe access in the future, it remains in its design phase with an uncertain completion timeline. This leaves a significant gap in mitigating the immediate flood risks identified by both the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the council’s own transport planning experts. Greenbelt Integrity and Traffic Concerns
Beyond the immediate flooding issues, the planning department has also raised objections to the scale of the development. They deem the construction of 175 houses on what is currently greenbelt land as excessive, arguing that it would negatively impact the distinctive landscape surrounding this part of Perth. The greenbelt designation serves to protect the city’s unique character and prevent uncontrolled urban expansion, a principle the planners feel would be undermined by this proposal.
Furthermore, the council’s report notes a critical oversight in the developer’s transport assessment. It failed to adequately consider the anticipated increase in traffic volume stemming from the recently approved Aldi supermarket on the nearby Necessity Brae. The addition of hundreds of new households, coupled with increased retail traffic, could exacerbate existing congestion, further straining local roads already under pressure.
Local residents have voiced a mixed response to the plans. Official figures show 215 expressions of support for the application, contrasting with 107 objections. Many of the concerns raised by those opposing the development have consistently focused on the recurring issue of flooding in the Craigie area, which has experienced severe inundation multiple times in recent years. A Balancing Act: Club’s Future vs. Community Risk
The Craigie Hill Golf Club, which has partnered with Perth-based firm Kilmac on this venture, asserts that the housing development is vital for its long-term financial viability. The 114-year-old institution reportedly faces annual losses exceeding £25,000, a situation club captain Dave Mitchell has previously described as ‘completely unsustainable.’ He has stressed the potential impact on staff livelihoods, portraying the housing scheme as a necessary measure to secure the club’s future as a cherished local amenity.
However, the planning department’s recommendation explicitly states that the golf club’s financial predicament is not considered to carry sufficient weight to override the fundamental planning considerations, such as flood risk and greenbelt policy. This indicates a strong stance by the council to prioritise environmental and infrastructure concerns over the economic arguments presented by the club.
Given the significant deviation from the established Local Development Plan, the application will not be decided by the regular planning committee but will instead be put before the full Perth and Kinross Council for a definitive vote. This crucial meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, at 10 am, where the fate of this controversial development and the future of a significant Perth green space will be decided.