Multi-million pound expansion of Methven planned

Oct 7 2011 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PLANS for a multi-million pound housing and recreation development in Methven were unveiled yesterday.

The PA has learned that local residents will have the opportunity to comment on two “innovative” proposals, one earmarked for the south-west of the village and, the other, for the south-east.

If approved, the two sites, which both lie south of Methven’s Main Street, will be transformed into mixed-use developments, with the creation of residential, business, community and recreational areas.

Vision

Landowner David Smythe, who has lived in the village his whole life, explained the proposal was at an early stage and building would not begin for several years at least.

He told the PA yesterday: “The vision is for Methven to expand a bit more. Not just in terms of houses, but also by expanding the village’s industrial space.

“It will also solve a bottleneck in the traffic around James Street and Station Road because we’ll provide new access off Crieff Road at the west end of the village.

“There will be housing involved too, and we’re looking at getting this included in the Tay Plan.

“And in the east end, we’ll be providing land for community use.”

The first option, in the south-west of the village, would see up to 50 houses and 50,000 sq ft of business space created.

Improved access from the A85 to the village’s existing industrial estate would alleviate current traffic problems on Station Road and James Street.

The second proposal concerns the south-east of the village where up to 100 houses could be erected alongside a new community centre, sports pavilion and associated car-parking at the Jubilee Park.

Parking and a drop-off point for Methven Primary School will also be incorporated into plans to improve road safety in the vicinity.

It is understood that the community could choose one scenario or the other, but both projects would go ahead if enough support was gained.

Mr Smythe continued: “We are holding a public consultation to listen and take on board the feelings of local people.

“This will not be a big development which swamps the village, but it will be innovative in terms of community benefit. And one would hope the industrial units will provide local jobs.

“This won’t happen tomorrow, we will be looking at least two or three years down the line before we start work.”

Anyone interested in viewing the proposals are invited to attend the consultation on Wednesday and Thursday (October 12/13), which will be held between 3pm and 8pm each day at Methven’s community centre, Main Street.

Attendees will have the opportunity to inspect an exhibition highlighting the potential development options, ask questions and provide feedback.

For more information, contact Alan Farningham of KCC Consulting Ltd on 0131 555 7578 or e-mail alan.farningham@plan-develop.co.uk.