Elphinstone lodge appeal over Perth and Kinross Council delay

Dec 4 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH planners have taken another pounding after it emerged yesterday that national developers Elphinstone Holdings have lodged an appeal over the time being taken to come up with a verdict on their Western Edge planning bid.

The property developer, which relocated Perth mart to Stirling, have lined up retail giants Sainsbury’s for the vacant Crieff Road site.

Chief executive Ken Ross said the appeal against non-determination was designed to safeguard their position in the wake of new planning legislation.

But he accused the local authority of prevaricating and of gambling with up to 500 supermarket jobs in an uncertain economic climate – and operating off a Local Plan which is years out of date.

Mr Ross stressed: “We are continuing to have dialogue with Perth and Kinross Council and hopefully we can reach an agreement. But we can’t end up in a potential black hole.

“It’s all very frustrating and we’d like some commonsense to prevail. We aren’t holding a gun to the council’s head but this will be a last resort.”

While council officers have warned Perth faces gridlock on the Crieff Road, Mr Ross maintained the roads issue had been addressed, ensuring it would be no worse as a result of Sainsbury’s opening in Perth.

He added that Elphinstone had indicated it was prepared to make an unspecified financial contribution to future road improvements.

Mr Ross was confident agreement could be reached with the council and Transport Scotland.

“We are talking about up to 500 quality jobs in a low wage economy and Sainsbury’s are keen to source local produce, so there will also be spin-off benefits.

“This is mega in the current climate. It would be a win-win situation so please let’s have a decision.

“We have a major company keen to invest in Perth and bring jobs to the city, although other local authorities are also keen to lure Sainsbury’s. They are saying ‘come on down, we want these jobs.’

“But the Local Plan for Perth is so out of date the agricultural market – a brownfield site – has come and gone. There are no guidelines for developers. Now we are told a new one might not be in place until 2013. This is an absolute nonsense.

“Obviously we need a determination long before that. Sainsbury’s have embarked on a three-month consultation exercise with the local community and detailed plans will come forward after that is complete.

“The council has a duty to facilitate and encourage economic growth. Perth and Kinross is not immune from the economy’s current problems

“We are trying to figure out what the council’s problem is. We need a decision because we can’t go endlessly. We fear paralysis through analysis from report after report.”

A spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council said the Elphinstone application was lodged four months ago.

She said: “The council has requested on a number of occasions further detailed information from Elphinstone on the impact on Crieff Road of their proposals for the former Perth Mart site.

“Without this information we were not able to determine Elphinstone’s application.”