Park Village residents hold AGM

Feb 26 2010 by Katy Gordon, Strathearn Herald

RESIDENTS of Crieff’s Park Village are refusing to roll over in the ongoing row over access rights.

The retired homeowners held their residents’ association AGM last week, with the right of way through the park a major point on the agenda.

New association chairman Malcolm Smith explained the group’s plan of attack.

He said: “The issue of access was discussed, and generally the group areopposed to Perth and Kinross Council steamrolling through the decision.

“I have written a letter to the council as chairman of the residents’ association, which I hope to send by the end of the week.”

The group are also hoping to work with local police and Neighbourhood Watch associations, as some residents feel that having a right of way through the park is a security risk.

“Now that the gate is open, the problems with security are heightened,” Malcolm confirmed.

As well as the ongoing right of way issues, the residents are also keen to resolve the problems associated with part of the river bank, which collapsed in November.

“There hasn’t been a thing done,” Malcolm fumed. “There have been MPs, MSPs and representatives from SEPA writing to Cresswell Welsh and the council has served him with a dangerous building notice.”

The home which had been affected by the erosion of the banking has been moved to a temporary spot on the park, but Malcolm explained it was unsuitable.

“The man who lives there has to contend with his water freezing every night, and when they moved his house they caused cracks in the walls.”

Malcolm, along with local MP Gordon Banks, has arranged to meet with Mr Welsh on Monday to discuss the banking.

“Fortunately, there has been no more collapse, partly due to the fact that the wall that did fall in is now diverting water away from the bank, and because we haven’t had a heavy rainfall.

“But if there were another deluge, seven more houses would be affected.”