Perthshire Conservatives have slammed an SNP Minister who they accuse of “washing his hands” of the contentious planning appeal concerning a proposal to extend Marlee Quarry in Blairgowrie.
The politicians were concerned at the recent announcement from the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environment Appeals Division that they are ‘minded’ to allow an appeal by Laird Aggregates Ltd. As a result, Murdo Fraser MSP wrote to Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, Minister for Local Government, Empowerment and Planning, to ask him to refuse consent to the appeal.
Laird Aggregates Ltd had appealed against the decision by Perth and Kinross Council to refuse planning consent for an extension to Marlee Quarry, Essendy, Blairgowrie.
Local constituents who live in close proximity to the site contacted Murdo Fraser MSP and local Councillor Bob Brawn to raise their concerns. In addition, the plan was opposed by all three local Ward Councillors, two of whom made deputations against it. Perth and Kinross Council’s Planning Committee unanimously refused the application.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “I am bitterly disappointed with the response sent to me by the Minister for Local Government, in which he basically washes his hands of this contentious issue. In his letter to me, the Minister trots all manner of excuses not to comment on this planning appeal, including stating that the final decision of this appeal has ‘not yet been decided,’ but the appointed Reporter has actually said that he is ‘minded’ to allow the appeal.
“Mr Fitzpatrick also states that Ministers become directly involved in ‘only a small minority’ of cases, but it is obvious that there is a pattern here where the SNP Government is riding roughshod over local residents’ concerns by agreeing to planning appeals.
“In my letter, I had stressed to the Minister that he must appreciate the anger felt in the local community caused by the decision of Perth and Kinross Council looking like it will be overturned by SNP Government Minsters. However, his letter doesn’t address my questions at all – all it is a classic case of obfuscation. Local residents deserve more.”
And local Councillor Bob Brawn added: “Following the Reporter’s decision to overturn the Council Planning Committee’s unanimous decision to refuse approval of the new quarry at Marlee, a letter was sent to Scottish Minister Joe Fitzpatrick requesting he review the situation, recognise the huge local objection to this proposal and consider revoking the appeal decision.
“The response is a clear ‘no’ and yet again local democracy is denied. It is worth noting that Mr Fitzpatrick is Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning - a clear misnomer if there ever was one.”
