Structure Plan in summary
What is the Structure Plan?
The Perth & Kinross Structure Plan, approved by Scottish
Ministers in June 2003, is the key strategic land-use planning
document which guides the development of Perth & Kinross to
2020.
The Perth & Kinross Structure Plan, approved by Scottish
Ministers in June 2003, is the key strategic land-use planning
document which guides the development of Perth & Kinross to
2020.
The Structure Plan provides the framework for local plans which
contain more detailed and site-specific policies.
A place to live and work
Perth & Kinross is a popular place to live and work. Its
combination of small and medium sized towns, abundance of
countryside and good transport links ensure a high quality of life.
Perth & Kinross is a popular place to live and work. Its
combination of small and medium sized towns, abundance of
countryside and good transport links ensure a high quality of
life.
However, there are conflicting pressures on land use,
particularly for housing and business land together with a desire
to protect the environment. Consequently, we have
have based the Plan on three themes -
- Building Sustainable Communities
- Creating a Sustainable Economy
- Sustaining the Environment and Resources
Why sustain the environment and manage our natural
resources?
The natural and built environment of Perth & Kinross are its
most valuable assets in terms of its economy, the quality of life
of its residents, its attractiveness to tourists and incoming
investment. The natural and built environment of Perth &
Kinross are its most valuable assets in terms of its economy, the
quality of life of its residents, its attractiveness to tourists
and incoming investment.
The Strategy therefore seeks to ensure that Perth & Kinross
remains attractive by managing the environment in such a way that
not only provides economic development opportunities but also
ensures that the area remains attractive to residents, local
businesses and visitors.
Why do we need a sustainable economy?
The 'high quality of life' in Perth & Kinross is a major
attraction to investors and businesses. But we also made sure
that the Plan's strategy recognises the need to accommodate
innovation and change to ensure growth in the economy to redress
structural problems.
Four key employment sites will play a major long-term role in
the Plan's strategy and in the local economy. These are
- Scottish Crop Research Institute at Invergowrie
- Oudenarde close to Bridge of Earn
- Perth Airport
- the area around the railway and bus stations in Perth
But the Plan is alive to the need to provide business and
industrial development land elsewhere in Perth and the former
Burghs.
How much business and industrial land is required?
The Structure Plan requires each of the Local Plans to ensure
that there is a 5 year supply of marketable business and industrial
land in Perth and the Burghs.
The Structure Plan requires each of the Local Plans to ensure that
there is a 5 year supply of marketable business and industrial land
in Perth and the Burghs.
Currently, in Perth there isn't enough general industrial land
to meet either short or longer term needs. This is largely due to
inadequate infrastructure, such as sewers, lack of capacity in the
road network or access to otherwise developable land.
Clearly, maintaining the supply of a variety of types of
business and industrial land and premises close to where people
live will be important to the success of the local economy. The
land and premises to be provided range from low cost starter units
for start up businesses to locations suitable for prestigious
company headquarters.
It will be necessary to ensure there is co-ordinated action from
the Council and others, to resolve access and infrastructure
problems, and to market opportunities to investors, developers and
employers
How many new houses are planned for the period to 2020?
The Structure Plan sets a target for Perth & Kinross of some
10,000 new homes by 2020. Demand for new dwellings has been growing
because people live longer and have different lifestyles. In
particular, there is an increasing number of people who live on
their own.
There is also strong pressure to build more houses in areas like
Perth & Kinross because we have a strong economy and good job
opportunities. We are close to Edinburgh and Glasgow but our
average house prices, though high, are lower than they are in those
cities.
How many new houses are already in the pipeline?
The Council estimated that at June 2000, sufficient land for
about 5,000 houses either had planning permission or was identified
in Local Plans. So land for an extra 5,000 houses still needs to be
found.
Since June 2000 some 2,700 houses have been built and further
sites have come forward through the development plan
process.
Where will the additional houses be built?
The Strategy of the plan calls for most housing land to be
provided within Perth and the Plan's 'Perth Core Area'. It's
anticipated that Perth will continue to provide housing land by
redeveloping sites where they are no longer needed by businesses,
'infill' between existing buildings and flats over shops.
It is sensible to provide more housing in Perth or the other
Burghs because of easy access to transport and community
facilities.
There will also be opportunities for small scale development
throughout Perth & Kinross which meet the terms of local
planning policies.
Where can I get more Information?
For any enquiries you can email
PKCStructurePlan@pkc.gov.uk
