Campaigners lose Muthill Lindores housing battle

Oct 30 2009 by Caroline Boxer, Strathearn Herald

DESPITE strong objections from the community, the green light has been given to build three executive bungalows in Lindores estate, Muthill.

Perth and Kinross Council’s development control committee approved the plans last week following a lengthy debate during which local resident and building conservation professional Lindsay Lennie tried to persuade councillors to refuse consent.

Speaking on behalf of a number of local residents, the community council and primary school parent council, Dr Lennie said the two main issues related to the “lack of a suitable access and to the detrimental impact on the conservation area”.

She said: “This glebeland contributes to the setting of Lindores, a former manse dating to 1721 and the oldest house in the village. This site was included in the conservation area for its open landscape and mature trees.

“I believe that the true historic significance of this site has been overlooked.”

Dr Lennie also spoke of her concerns on road traffic safety issues at the access to the site and she feared for the mature trees.

The plans were lodged by Darren McDermott, managing director of Easy Heat Systems.

A spokesman for Mr McDermott’s architects said the plans have been trimmed from four to three houses on the one acre site and would use the latest green technology.

Councillor Ian Campbell labelled that a red herring and stressed that the project was all about building homes in a conservation village.

But the spokesman stressed disruption during building would be minimal and he reminded councillors his client would continue to live at the former manse.

The roads department also said it was satisfied with proposals for the junction on to a road where traffic speed was restricted.

The project was approved by all the councillors except Councillor Alan Jack, who failed to attract a seconder for his refusal plea.

After the meeting Lindsay Lennie told the Herald: “The whole group who have been fighting this application, together with many other people in the wider community, are deeply disappointed about this permission being approved.

“We do not feel that such large executive homes are appropriate for our village and do not consider them to be in keeping with the outstanding conservation area.

“Given that land at The Orchard, Station Road, is zoned for 30 houses, future housing need in the village will be met without the need for this additional development.

“We also feel that the access is totally unsuitable for further development and remain unconvinced by how the minor junction improvements proposed will make it safe.”

Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust will conduct an archaeological survey of the historic site before it is developed.