Major concerns raised over quarry plan on edge of Perthshire town

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Neighbours living near a proposed major development on the outskirts of Blairgowrie have urged local residents to have their say on the planning application, which has now been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council.

Laird Aggregates is proposing to develop a 30-hectare quarry to extract sand and gravel from land north of the B947 – across the road from its existing site, which will continue to be used for processing and stockpiling.An indicative design identifies three excavation areas to be worked on over five phases, excavating up to 75,000 tonnes a year for up to 17 years.However, concerned locals have claimed proposals for the new quarry would see an area the equivalent size of about 70 football pitches dug up over 17 years.A steering group comprising local residents and other concerned individuals has been set up in response to the proposals.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Many people in Blairgowrie don’t know that a huge new quarrying development is being proposed just 1500 metres west of the edge of the town, and even closer to the Muirton Nursing Home and the site of the Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games and Alyth Show, the latter of which are both major tourist attractions for the area. “The proposed quarry would cover the equivalent of over 70 football pitches from which over one million tonnes of sand and gravel would be extracted in an operation lasting 17 years. “If it was to gain planning permission, it would permanently scar the landscape on that side of Blairgowrie and it would affect precious Sites of Special Scientific Interest and archaeological remains. “It would also involve heavily laden slow-moving lorries crossing a fast, straight stretch of the B947 with likely danger to road traffic,