Blairgowrie and Glens councillor calls for a moratorium on any further housing developments

Cllr Brawn said residents were concerned about the impact of a growing population on local services such as medical and dental surgeries

A Blairgowrie and Glens councillor has called for a moratorium on any further development in the Blairgowrie area to give the town a "chance to breathe".

Cllr Bob Brawn made the appeal after he moved plans for 38 affordable homes in Rattray for approval adding it was "a general point and cannot be specific to the site".

He raised concern about the impact of the growing number of housing developments on NHS and dental surgeries.

On Wednesday, September 12 Perth and Kinross Council's (PKC) Planning and Placemaking Committee unanimously granted planning permission for 38 "much-needed" affordable flats and houses towards the northern edge of Rattray on the eastern side of Hatton Road and south of Glenalmond Road. The application was submitted by Yeoman McAllister Architects on behalf of applicant First Endeavor and recommended for approval by council officers. The project will be a partnership between the developer and Hillcrest Housing Association.

After moving the plans for approval, Conservative councillor Bob Brawn made a plea for the door to be temporarily closed to any new applications in the area. He said there was also a need for developers to provide infrastructure for residents.

He said: "In Rattray there are very few meeting areas. When developers are planning, they don't put any concept of a community meeting area for people to use. That's something that comes up quite regularly.

"The other issue - perhaps more importantly - that comes up is infrastructure which is gradually affecting Blairgowrie. We have a lot of development that is ongoing; this will be another one which is 38 dwellings which in turn could become 76 people."

He said the number of developments was a "concern for many many residents in Blairgowrie" who are worried about access to medical and dental surgeries.

Crll Brawn added: "If it was within my power, I think there should be a moratorium on any further development until Blairgowrie has a chance to breathe and catch up with what's going on."

After the meeting, Cllr Brawn said the impact of the number of new housing developments on local services was a growing concern.

He said: "Many residents in Blairgowrie are growing concerned about the increasing number of new dwellings being approved and the effect on local infrastructure in particular NHS and dental services.

"With new dwellings approved next to the commercial area of Westpark, new dwellings in Hatton Road and ongoing building still at Elm Drive, the potential increase in new residents needing these services could be well in excess of 200.

"Whether or not such a moratorium is possible or taken up remains to be seen."

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