Chalet plans to get nod?

Jan 9 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DETAILED multi-million pound plans were unveiled yesterday for a massive chalet and leisure project at a former quarry near Perth.

Given the green light, it could create up to 70 new jobs and generate millions of pounds for the local economy.

The applicants, Crown Parks Ltd., also believe it would create a “major year-round leisure and tourism facility”.

The company want the go-ahead to develop more than 80 acres of land midway between Luncarty and Stanley with 262 chalets and 30 touring caravan stances on the site which was, until recently, operated as a sand and gravel pit.

The proposed leisure facilities would include a swimming pool, gym, spa, bar, restaurant and a lounge entertainment area, along with a bar.

They would be accommodated within a large, contemporary, split-level building. It would also contain a reception area and administrative offices for the development.

The two detailed planning bids will go before a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s development control committee next Wednesday morning.

And, despite objections from locals, Nick Brian, the council’s development quality officer, is recommending the go-ahead, subject to a number of conditions.

The two applications were granted outline consent by councillors in July, 2006.

In detailed reports to councillors, Mr Brian explains that the majority of the proposed chalets will be located within the existing quarry site, positioned around the central leisure facilities.

A total of 32 chalets would be accommodated, along with the touring caravan area, to the front of the site, adjacent to the B9099 Luncarty-Bankfoot Road.

Stanley and Kinclaven District Community Council are, in principle, supportive of the development but have raised concerns that it will have an adverse visual impact on the landscape.

Eight letters of objection have also been lodged by local residents. Their concerns include the impact on bird wildlife, the roads network, the environment and a flood risk.

Mr Brian acknowledges that the density of the development will be “quite high” but that could be adequately offset by the large area of open recreational ground within the north-east of the site.

Landscaping would also be provided between chalets to mitigate the density.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency have stated that there is a potential flood risk from the Benchil Burn, which runs through the site, but engineers for the applicants consider that to be “negligible.”

Mr Brian concludes: “Having examined the issues, I conclude that the proposal meets the requirement of the outline consent conditions and therefore conforms to the relevant policy.

“My recommendation, therefore, is for approval, subject to appropriate conditions.”