Property firm’s legal bid to calm locals over Perth plans

May 18 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

DEVELOPERS attempting to build houses in Perth’s affluent Kinnoull Hill area have drawn-up a legal agreement in an attempt to appease locals.

Property investment group Edinmore have lodged a planning application for a low-density residential development at Fernhill – located between Bellwood Park and Fernhill Road – after asking residents for their view towards the end of last year.

Edinmore claim that locals thought indicative plans for four new houses on the lower third of the sloping land were “sensitive and in-keeping with the surrounding area”.

But the move has riled certain sections of the community, who have written to the PA claiming that four units could be “the thin end of the wedge” because of the vacant land surrounding the site.

The property investment firm also state the majority of those consulted were “very supportive” of the capital firm’s intention to retain the remaining two thirds of the currently-empty plot, which is split into two fields, as open space.

Perth and Kinross Council recently received a legal agreement to ensure the dual pledge is legally binding if the application is given the go-ahead.

Edinmore managing director Angus Crow said yesterday: “Our intention has always been to deliver low-density, high-quality housing in the lower field at Fernhill – coupled with a commitment to retain the remainder of the land as properly-managed open space.

“I have listened to feedback from the local community and fully understand their desire for additional legal safeguards to make sure that, whoever develops this land, is bound to comply with the commitments we have given.

“I hope that the draft agreement we have now sent to Perth and Kinross Council, accompanying our planning application, provides further reassurance on these points.”

Mr Crow said the recently-submitted legal agreement states anyone developing the site in future can build no more than four houses in the lower field and must retain the remaining 9.5 acres of land as open space “in perpetuity”.

The draft document also prohibits the creation of a through-route could link Bellwood Park to Fernhill Road.

It also dictates that no accommodation be built until any off-site road and junction improvements deemed necessary by the local authority are completed.

The plans will be considered by PKC’s development control committee.