A small housing development in the Kinross-shire hamlet of Carnbo has been given the green light by the Perth and Kinross Council. The proposal, which includes the construction of seven homes, none of which will be affordable housing, has faced objections from some residents who claim it is “out of character” for the area. The development, approved by the council’s Planning and Placemaking Committee, will see houses built on a site previously occupied by a petrol station, as well as on adjacent land behind existing properties, overlooking fields.
During a meeting on Wednesday, objectors expressed concerns about the density of the development and its impact on the local landscape. One resident, Ms Hutchinson, representing many households in Carnbo, highlighted errors and omissions in the council’s report, stating that the proposed houses do not align with the characteristics of the area. She suggested that a smaller development, particularly on the derelict site of the former petrol station, would be more welcomed by the community.
One key point of contention was the absence of affordable housing in the plans. According to Perth and Kinross Council guidelines, developments of over five units are typically required to allocate 25% of housing as affordable. In this case, a commuted sum was proposed as an alternative, with the developer citing challenges such as land contamination and drainage issues affecting the project’s viability.
Despite objections and concerns raised, the Planning Committee ultimately voted in favour of the development by six votes to four. Conservative councillor Bob Brawn expressed reservations about the density of the housing and felt it was not in keeping with the surroundings, proposing refusal along with Bailie Chris Ahern. However, an amendment for approval put forward by councillor David Ilingworth was supported by the majority of the committee members.
The decision to proceed with the housing development in Carnbo has sparked debate among residents and councillors, with differing opinions on whether the project is a suitable fit for the area. As construction moves forward, it remains to be seen how the new homes will integrate into the existing community landscape and address the concerns raised during the approval process.