Perth and Kinross is on the cusp of several notable changes, as recent planning activities indicate a dynamic period of development spanning retail, local industry, community amenities, and infrastructure. From supermarket facelifts to new residential areas and evolving local businesses, the region is actively shaping its future through various approved and proposed projects.
A significant upgrade is in the pipeline for the Aldi supermarket situated on the outskirts of Perth, within the Inveralmond retail park. Management intends to reconfigure the retail space and its adjacent storage facility. This strategic move aims to slightly expand the customer shopping area by reallocating existing warehouse space, allowing for a more contemporary and efficient store layout that aligns with the chain’s modern design standards seen in other locations. This initiative reflects a broader trend of retail optimization within the city, complementing the recent approval for a third Aldi branch in Pitheavlis, despite previous legal challenges.
The vibrant local business scene in Perthshire is also witnessing expansion, with Little Birdie Coffee, an artisan roaster from Alyth, securing permission to establish a new coffee roasting facility. Director Cornelia Macwilliam highlighted the growing demand for their unique blends, necessitating an increase in production capabilities. The new venture will transform a former agricultural steading near Leiftie Cottage, Alyth, into a dedicated roasting and packaging hub, promising new employment opportunities within the rural community. Despite initial concerns from two local residents, the proposal received conditional approval, ensuring minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment while fostering local economic growth.
Further enriching the region’s offerings, the Little Trochry market garden near Dunkeld is set to evolve into a multi-faceted visitor attraction. The farm’s custodians, Iain Broadhead and Kirstin Lamotte, envision converting a traditional farm steading into a welcoming destination featuring a cafe, versatile event spaces, and on-site accommodation for both staff and guests. This development builds upon the farm’s existing success in hosting vegetable cultivation workshops and local gatherings. The expanded vision includes a diverse calendar of events, such as farm-to-table dinners and lunches, educational courses focused on sustainable food practices, regular farmers’ markets, intimate music and community events, and even wellness activities like yoga classes. This transformation underscores a commitment to sharing the joys of local food production and fostering deeper connections with the natural environment.
Looking ahead, the village of Bridge of Earn could see a substantial increase in its housing stock. GS Brown Construction, a prominent St Madoes-based developer, has initiated the process for nearly one hundred new homes located north of Clayton Road. The submission of a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to Perth and Kinross Council signifies the initial phase of public engagement before a formal planning application. This critical step involves a series of community consultation events, providing residents with an opportunity to review the plans and offer their feedback. Scheduled sessions include an event at the Bridge of Earn Institute, which took place today from 3-6pm, and another on Thursday, October 9, from 4:30-7:30pm, at the same venue. This development forms part of a broader housing strategy in the area, with GS Brown also being the driving force behind the long-term Oudenarde scheme, which could ultimately deliver up to 1,600 homes on the opposite side of the M90 motorway, on the former Bridge of Earn Hospital site.
However, not all proposed developments proceed without hurdles. Plans for an EE mobile phone mast near Aviva’s headquarters in Pitheavlis, on the outskirts of Perth, faced a setback as local planners rejected the application. The primary opposition came from Aviva itself, citing concerns about the mast’s visual impact on their A-listed building and its proximity to their operational wind turbine. The council’s conservation team echoed these sentiments, concluding that the proposed 25-meter pole would represent a ‘significant intrusion,’ detracting from the architectural significance of the listed structure. While EE argued the mast was necessary to replace an existing one at Craigie Hill Golf Club, which they claimed would be removed due to new housing plans on the course, planners noted that the golf club’s development proposal had not yet been finalized. This decision emphasizes the council’s commitment to balancing modern connectivity needs with the preservation of Perthshire’s cherished landscape and historical assets, allowing for further exploration of more suitable alternative locations for essential telecommunications infrastructure.
A significant upgrade is in the pipeline for the Aldi supermarket situated on the outskirts of Perth, within the Inveralmond retail park. Management intends to reconfigure the retail space and its adjacent storage facility. This strategic move aims to slightly expand the customer shopping area by reallocating existing warehouse space, allowing for a more contemporary and efficient store layout that aligns with the chain’s modern design standards seen in other locations. This initiative reflects a broader trend of retail optimization within the city, complementing the recent approval for a third Aldi branch in Pitheavlis, despite previous legal challenges.
The vibrant local business scene in Perthshire is also witnessing expansion, with Little Birdie Coffee, an artisan roaster from Alyth, securing permission to establish a new coffee roasting facility. Director Cornelia Macwilliam highlighted the growing demand for their unique blends, necessitating an increase in production capabilities. The new venture will transform a former agricultural steading near Leiftie Cottage, Alyth, into a dedicated roasting and packaging hub, promising new employment opportunities within the rural community. Despite initial concerns from two local residents, the proposal received conditional approval, ensuring minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment while fostering local economic growth.
Further enriching the region’s offerings, the Little Trochry market garden near Dunkeld is set to evolve into a multi-faceted visitor attraction. The farm’s custodians, Iain Broadhead and Kirstin Lamotte, envision converting a traditional farm steading into a welcoming destination featuring a cafe, versatile event spaces, and on-site accommodation for both staff and guests. This development builds upon the farm’s existing success in hosting vegetable cultivation workshops and local gatherings. The expanded vision includes a diverse calendar of events, such as farm-to-table dinners and lunches, educational courses focused on sustainable food practices, regular farmers’ markets, intimate music and community events, and even wellness activities like yoga classes. This transformation underscores a commitment to sharing the joys of local food production and fostering deeper connections with the natural environment.
Looking ahead, the village of Bridge of Earn could see a substantial increase in its housing stock. GS Brown Construction, a prominent St Madoes-based developer, has initiated the process for nearly one hundred new homes located north of Clayton Road. The submission of a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to Perth and Kinross Council signifies the initial phase of public engagement before a formal planning application. This critical step involves a series of community consultation events, providing residents with an opportunity to review the plans and offer their feedback. Scheduled sessions include an event at the Bridge of Earn Institute, which took place today from 3-6pm, and another on Thursday, October 9, from 4:30-7:30pm, at the same venue. This development forms part of a broader housing strategy in the area, with GS Brown also being the driving force behind the long-term Oudenarde scheme, which could ultimately deliver up to 1,600 homes on the opposite side of the M90 motorway, on the former Bridge of Earn Hospital site.
However, not all proposed developments proceed without hurdles. Plans for an EE mobile phone mast near Aviva’s headquarters in Pitheavlis, on the outskirts of Perth, faced a setback as local planners rejected the application. The primary opposition came from Aviva itself, citing concerns about the mast’s visual impact on their A-listed building and its proximity to their operational wind turbine. The council’s conservation team echoed these sentiments, concluding that the proposed 25-meter pole would represent a ‘significant intrusion,’ detracting from the architectural significance of the listed structure. While EE argued the mast was necessary to replace an existing one at Craigie Hill Golf Club, which they claimed would be removed due to new housing plans on the course, planners noted that the golf club’s development proposal had not yet been finalized. This decision emphasizes the council’s commitment to balancing modern connectivity needs with the preservation of Perthshire’s cherished landscape and historical assets, allowing for further exploration of more suitable alternative locations for essential telecommunications infrastructure.