Incinerator could cause house price slump, warns Perth estate agent

Sep 11 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE controversial £100 million incinerator, planned for Perth’s Shore Road, could have a devastating effect on local house prices, it was claimed yesterday.

Similar projects in England and the United States, close to a town centre and a population mass, have led to a 10-15 per cent slump in average house prices.

And now there are concerns that the massive development, across the River Tay from the affluent Kinnoull area, could lead to a similar slide.

Brian Marnoch, managing partner of the J&M Property Agency and a director of the Perthshire Solicitors’ Property Centre, said yesterday he believes the incinerator will adversely affect house prices in the city.

Mr Marnoch, who has 30 years’ experience of the local property scene, believes it will also have a detrimental effect on the appeal of the town to the retiral and family markets.

“Many people who live in Perth choose to do so because of the fantastic quality of life on offer and I’m certain the planned incinerator will adversely affect this,” he said.

“A significant part of our housing market has benefited from people who choose to retire to the town or those who want to bring up their families away from the big cities and therefore are willing to commute.

“I firmly believe the planned incinerator will put people off moving to the town and therefore seriously affect the house prices in the area.

“Perth is not an industrial town and a development like this is completely out of place, especially as it is right next to the River Tay, close to the South Inch parkland and the town centre.

“The perceived possible health risks and the significant noise pollution will be a real turn-off to house hunters in the area, as has been seen elsewhere.”

Richard Salvin, spokesperson for the Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council, said: “This development would be a disaster for Perth.

“The news that house prices could plummet is horrendous for the area and all the hard working people in it.

“House prices have already been hit by the recession. We certainly don't need this.

“The council officers continue to believe they can reject the proposals at the next stage but the only way to guarantee it doesn't go ahead is to admit they got it wrong and cancel it now.”

“Failure to do so will have a disastrous effect on this fair city and that's why we have written this week to every councillor appealing to them to overrule their planning and legal officers.”