A very sad day for Blackford village

Today, Perth & Kinross Planning Committee voted unanimously to pass Highland Spring's freight terminal application... but that must not be the end of this petition! HS needs to know what its potential consumers think of the devastation it is about to inflict on local residents. The previous application on the agenda for four new houses in a residential area generated much questioning and discussion from the Committee. However, it was disturbing to note the almost cursory attention paid to Highland Spring's proposed heavy industry that is to be situated beside a residential area. Outlined first by HS representatives, there was virtually no concern from the Committee apart from whether the containers would be of a uniform colour! And, of course, that could not be guaranteed if the terminal is made available to outside companies. Nowhere was there mention of the Place Making Policy in the Perth & Kinross Local Development Plan (as quoted in the Planning Officer's report) where "development must contribute positively to the quality of the surrounding built and natural environment". This, alone, should have excluded the freight terminal, quite apart from the many other disruptive aspects inherent in such a development. Particularly galling was that the only objector, who had requested and been granted permission to speak prior to the meeting, was first voted out by the Committee on a technicality, in spite of more than one Committee member voting to hear her new submission before the decision was made. A sad day indeed; but please continue to share, send to friends, and spread this petition around the world. Thank you for taking part.