Letham Primary houses up for discussion

Feb 16 2010 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PLANS to create Perth’s first council houses in 25 years look set to be tested to the full tomorrow.

Perth and Kinross Council intends to erect six properties on school grounds in the Fair City’s Letham district – but residents are up in arms.

Locals have penned 27 letters objecting to the scheme, which would see a terraced block of six, two-storey family homes being created beside Letham Primary.

Opponents insist PKC has failed to consult them on the scheme’s details, and they also harbour concerns about potential loss of open space, “adverse impact on residential amenities”, road safety implications and loss of off-street parking.

But the council’s development quality manager Nick Brian has backed the bid, which he insists “will make an important contribution” to Letham’s stock of affordable housing.

The north-east corner of the school’s grounds at Struan Road and a collection of derelict garage lock-ups are set to make way for the new homes.

“It presents an opportunity to transform a nondescript backland area into an attractive street with a strong identity and a sense of place,” said Mr Brian.

PKC’s development control committee are due to consider the bid at a meeting in Perth tomorrow.