Grandtully Social Housing Creag Eilid x 2

On the 29 September 2006, an enforcement notice was served on D & L Rawson (Kepranich Developments) for failure to carry out woodland planting within the garden ground of the completed residences at Creag Eilid. To date, there appears to have been no further action on this matter, but Stewart Smith, Chairman of Strathtay & Grandtully Community Council told Comment “I will be speaking to Paul Kettles the Enforcement Officer to ensure that the landscaping work is carried out.”

After much debate at the recent Development Control Committee meeting in Perth, and despite the objections lodged, P&KC has given the go-ahead for Phase 2 of this development, with conditions imposed. In order to obtain planning consent, and after lengthy discussions with Education and Children’s Services, D & L Rawson have agreed to make a financial contribution towards the cost of additional educational infrastructure.

Such improvements may be required, as a result of the development, and a payment is to be made to Perth & Kinross Outdoor Services in respect of the existing play area in Grandtully. It remains to be seen whether this donation to Outdoor Services will see improvements made at the park, for a contribution made in respect of the initial development at Creag Eilid wasn’t used to upgrade or improve the park but simply added to the coffers at Perth & Kinross and allocated to the grass cutting and maintenance that the Council currently carries out.

Social Housing Need
Ian Sleith, P&K Development Control officer and his staff backed the proposal describing the housing as “much needed”, with the Council’s housing and community care department confirming that there is an unmet need for affordable housing in the area. Perthshire Housing Association has expressed an interest in acting as the registered social landlord on the site under the ‘Homestake Scheme’. The latter works by allowing a purchaser generally to pay between 60% and 80% of the price of a property. The remaining share is held by the registered social landlord using “Homestake” grant funding from Communities Scotland. In this way the purchaser does not have to pay mortgage or rent on the remaining share, thus allowing people with more modest incomes to access good quality housing.

Justin Rawson of D & L Rawson told Comment: “Following extensive negotiations with the Council, I am delighted that we have been granted planning permission for the further 11 houses at Creag Eilid. There is no doubt we have proved the need for further social housing in this area.”

He continued: “My only disappointment is that it has taken so long to get here, but we are meeting with all parties concerned and are keen to have building warrants etc in place to commence work on the development by the 1 June this year, with completion being made on 1 June 2008.”

Mr Rawson was keen to stress that he is very interested in similar developments in Highland Perthshire, and urged landowners who think they may have suitable land, to get in touch with either himself on 07952 970388 or Communities Scotland in Dundee on 01382 427500.