Perth and Kinross councillors have given the green light to plans for a housing development on the grounds of a former Kinross-shire hotel. The proposal entails the construction of 29 homes, including seven affordable houses, on the site of the erstwhile Gartwhinzean Hotel in Powmill. The hotel building, left derelict after a fire ravaged it in 2012, was subsequently demolished. The development is set to feature two and three-bedroom houses, with a portion designated for affordable housing, to be managed by Kingdom Housing Association.
The site earmarked for the development is situated between the A977 to the south, farmland to the north, a former farm to the west, and the Mill Gardens residential development to the east. The application, put forward by Kera Scotland Ltd, received the recommendation for approval and went before the council’s Planning and Placemaking Committee for consideration. Developer Raghu Raj expressed optimism about the project, stating, “We believe this development will be a positive addition to Powmill and address the much-needed valuable housing needs in the local area.”
Despite unanimous approval from the councillors, there were some reservations raised by members of the community. Concerns were raised regarding the location of a substation on the premises and the potential effects on residents in terms of noise and exposure to electromagnetic fields. However, assurances were provided by the developer regarding the safety of the positioning and its distance from existing homes. The council’s report highlighted that magnetic field levels at the boundary of a substation quickly decrease as distance increases, posing minimal risk to residents.
Amidst discussions on the drainage system and substation placement, councillors ultimately voted unanimously in favour of the development. Councillor Claire McLaren commended the transformation of the disused site into new housing opportunities. Councillor David Illingworth, reflecting on his fond memories of the Gartwhinzean Hotel, seconded the motion for approval. The project marks a positive step towards revitalising the area and meeting the housing demands of the local community.
In conclusion, with the unanimous approval of the plans, the 29-home development on the site of the former Gartwhinzean Hotel is set to proceed, bringing a new chapter to the Powmill area.