News & Minutes
Draft Minutes of Fossoway & District Community Council Meeting
Tuesday 4th March 2025 – 7.30pm, Moubray Village Hall
Attending: Community Councillors (CCllrs) Tony Lamb, Nicola Marchant (Chair), Graham Pye and Kaye Williamson; Associate CCllr Carol Farquhar; Perth & Kinross Councillor Dave Cuthbert; 13 members of the public (MoP).
Apologies: CCllrs** Sarah Bruce-Jones, Adrian Carter and Angus Cheape; PKC Cllrs Neil Freshwater, Richard Watters and William Robertson; PC Ben Samson.
Declarations of Interest: CCllr Cheape declared an interest (via email to Chair) in 24/01940/FLL; CCllr Marchant declared an interest in planning application 24/01673/FLL.
1. Community Police Report:
A MoP reported that a Seamab neighbour had been asked for directions to the school late one evening and after providing them were concerned if this was the right decision. The CC sought advice from PC Samson who replied that they shouldn’t be too concerned as the directions would be readily available on Google for anyone who really wanted to get there. It would just be a judgement call for the person if they wish to give directions however maybe a simple “not sure, we haven’t long moved here” or similar would be best if people didn’t feel comfortable. The Police have not had any reports from Seamab.
From 4th February 2025 (last report) there have been approximately 37 calls to Police from the Fossoway area and four crimes recorded on Police systems (three of these are traffic related incident)
Community officers are aware of regular areas where there are complaints about speeding in and around Fossoway. These have all been added to our speeding matrix and we will continue to make efforts to carry out speed checks across the area during our patrols. On 7th February 2025 local officers were on mobile patrol on A977 near Powmill when they observed a vehicle driving carelessly and in excess of the speed limit. On 24th February 2025 traffic officers were on mobile patrol on A91 near Fossoway when they observed a driver using a mobile phone whilst driving a vehicle. On 28th February 2025 traffic officers were carrying out speed checks in the area, notably in Carnbo, where they observed a vehicle to be speeding. All drivers were issued with a conditional offer (ticket.)
MoP asked if there could be speed checks between Blairingone and Powmill.
2. Approval of minutes of the last meeting:
The Minutes of the 7th February meeting were approved without change and signed off.
3. Progress and Matters Arising:
An update was provided by Cllr Cuthbert following the Kinross-shire Committee meeting held on 20th February.
There are currently two live, but distinctly different, planning applications on adjacent sites in this part of the Ochils.
The first, Brunt Hill Wind Farm (Brunt Hill Limited), is for 18 wind turbines and 50MW of battery storage which has been submitted to the ECU for determination, with PKC as a consultee. As part of the ECU’s consultation process, they received some objections and requests for clarification/further information. Following these objections, the applicant had advised that they were going to reconsider the proposal with a view to mitigating and alleviating the objections. Cllr Cuthbert has been in correspondence with the ECU and the applicant, with the applicant advising that they are hopeful of submitting a revised scheme by June this year. It is up to the ECU as to whether they agree to this delay. Assuming that they do, and that the information is submitted as suggested, then PKC will be targeting the September P&P Committee with a report. Currently the ball is very much in the developer’s court, and as a consultee PKC has limited control on timescales beyond their own deadline for responding to the ECU.
Secondly, the adjacent Craighead Wind Farm (Galileo), which proposes eight turbines. This has been submitted to PKC as a major application. PKC has also received comments from consultees to this proposal, including some objections and requests for clarification/further information. The applicant submitted some further information at the beginning of this month seeking to address these comments, but this has not included any amendment to the scheme. PKC is currently reconsulting on this additional information before progressing this application to P&P Committee (Date TBC but potentially April/May).
LPP Review and Discussion
The Fossoway and District LPP has been prepared using the information gathered from the residents’ Community Action Plan survey, and stakeholder interviews which were conducted by an external consultant on behalf of the Trust. All residents were hand delivered a copy of the survey and 36% responded. This was short of the 40% target but was significantly greater than the 12% response obtained for the all resident wind farm survey. All reports are available on https://fossowaytrust.com/news/community-action-plan/.
In addition, the CC held a series of meetings in November at all Village Halls where residents had an opportunity to view the draft LPP. These meetings were poorly attended; Blairingone: 5 MoPs; Powmill and Rumbling Bridge: 12 MoPs; Crook of Devon & Drum: 11 MoPs and Carnbo: 2 MoPs. In addition, the draft LPP was posted on www.fossowaytrust.com and was open for comments from 4th February to 3rd March. Finally, the CC sought comments from our 10 neighbouring CCs, only one of whom (Dunning) replied to say they had no comment, and our four Ward Councillors.
When preparing the draft LPP some local landowners/developers provided input on how they may wish to develop their land. The CC sought advice from PKC Planning (Robert Wills) on how we should handle these proposals. He stated that our LPP should not include proposals from landowners and developers as they will be approached by PKC during LDP3 development for their ideas, as they will be contacted as described here:
https://www.pkc.gov.uk/media/53395/Development-Plan-Scheme-2024/pdf/PKC_DPS_2024.pdf
The current plan shows that this contact will be between April and May 2025.
During this CC meeting there was further discussion of the various proposals – following advice from PKC we intend to remove any proposals that are not supported by a majority view.
Finally, the CC would like to record that the LPP is the views of the residents and not the CC. The LPP informs LDP3 and therefore may be different from LDP2. The CC has been advised by PKC that the LPP should detail and justify changes to LDP2, which will still be in force, along with NPF3, until LDP3 is finalised in December 2027.
Community Development Trust (CDT)
The Trust held a meeting on the 18th February and minutes can be found on their website www.fossowaytust.com.
Road Safety in FDCC area including A977 mitigation measures
A977 Mitigation Measures A MoP from Powmill had written to the CC regarding the excessive speeding through the village, especially at night. The CC frequently receives concerns about speeding and would request a review by PKC of the effectiveness of the mitigation measures already in place. Cllr Cuthbert suggested looking at the A83 and A84, where measures have been implemented to see whether any are appropriate for our villages.
A91 Road Safety The A91 was closed following the recent storm and the diversion was through Rumbling Bridge. Several drivers from Carnbo noted that the line of sight across the bridge is extremely poor. CC noted that we have asked PKC to cut back the bushes, but they have responded that this is the responsibility of the landowner. A MoP said that they would ask the Care Home to cut their hedge.
Road Improvement Projects PKC’s list of prioritised projects can be found on https://www.pkc.gov.uk/roadsafety
20mph Limits No update.
Corb Bridge Culvert (on the B934 in Dunning Glen) Will be closed for nine weeks from 2nd June 2025 for bridge strengthening works.
U221 Gelvan Moor Road In order to permit SSEN works the road will be closed from 20th March for four weeks from its junction with the A977 to the junction with the private access to the property known as Bankhead Farm. The alternative route for vehicles is via the A977, U222 and A91.
M90 J3 Amey is undertaking VRS upgrades on the M90 centre reserve between the B996 overbridge and J7 until 28th March. Work will take place Sunday to Thursday each night between 7.30pm and 6.30am. There will be a full closure of the M90 northbound from 2nd to 6th February 2nd to 6th March and 23rd to 27th March.
Fossoway area transport
23 Bus Service** The service continues to be well used. MoP asked about collecting people from locations other than advertised stops. CCllr Lamb replied that this can be arranged as long as they are on the existing route and there is a safe place for the bus to stop.
Community Transport Project CCllr Lamb had submitted the final application for a minibus to PKC on 26th February. It is hoped we will get a minibus in June 2025. The Trust is still looking for volunteer drivers.
Seamab School Construction Work
Neighbours asked whether the CC could ask Seamab to attend a CC Meeting? CCllr Marchant will pass this request through to PKC’s Safer Communities department. Drones have been flown over the site, raising concerns about security of farm equipment.
Moubray Hall
PKC have advised the Hall Committee on what maintenance work would require a planning application.
Rumbling Bridge Community Fund
To date we have received no expressions of interest in being on the Board. Subsequent to the meeting CCllr Pye was informed that there were actually several applications.
Fossoway Community Benefit Hydro Fund
To date we have received no registration of interest in helping to run the fund. Volunteers are needed to review and make decisions on applications.
British Science Association Award
The CC has received an award of £500 to run a lecture/workshop during British Science Week (7th to 13th March 2025). The event will be on the 13th March from 7 to 9pm in Crook of Devon Village Hall, refreshments will be provided. The event is an interactive workshop where residents can find out about the next generation of clean energy technology and what energy saving options there are for their homes. The CC has extended invites to neighbouring CCs.
4. Matters arising with no update since last meeting: Community Noticeboards and Crook Moss Travellers Site.
5. New Business:
Footpaths around Crook of Devon and Dog Waste – A MoP has written to the CC asking for dog waste bins to be placed at the start and end of the Millennium footpath south of Crook of Devon and other footpaths. The CC has advised that new dog waste bins can be requested from PKC at: https://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/14828/Litter-bins
NHS Getting the Right Care – The CC have been advised that we can order flyers detailing NHS services and asked if the community would be interested in obtaining copies of these. However, this wasn’t thought to be needed.
Rubbish at Gartwhinzean Hotel Site in Powmill Rubbish is being dumped on a regular basis – why is no-one being prosecuted for this? Cllr Cuthbert agreed to investigate.
6. Consultations:
Kinross
Kinross-shire Community Cycling Survey
Kinross-shire Trishaws and Community Cycling would like to understand the public’s thoughts about developing community cycling based programs and initiatives across Kinross-shire. They aim to set up a community bike hub to meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities. The survey can be filled in to share views at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Kinrossshire-Community-Cycling
PKC
Comments on the draft Perth & Kinross Local Economic Action Plan (2025-2030) are welcome. This strategy and action plan aims to enhance the economic vitality and resilience of our area. Closes 16th March 2025.
https://consult.pkc.gov.uk/communities/perth-kinross-local-economic-action-plan-2025-2030/
SEPA
SEPA are consulting on changes to the “Environmental Regulation (Scotland) Guidance on Public Participation and Fit and Proper Person Test” that affect how they authorise and regulate waste management, water and industrial activities. The consultation closes on 30th March 2025, and can be found at: https://consultation.sepa.org.uk/governance/proposed-changes-to-the-environmental-regulation-s/
Scottish Government
Public EV Charging Network Vision - Closes 14th March.
https://consult.gov.scot/transport-scotland/public-electric-vehicle-charging-network-vision/
Community Benefits Net Zero Energy Developments - Closes 11th April. The CC will be responding and also working with the Sustainability Group on a joint response.
https://consult.gov.scot/offshore-wind-directorate/community-benefits-net-zero-energy-developments/
Scottish Parliament
At its meeting on 17th December, the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee agreed to review the progress of the Fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4). Following their first annual review of NPF4, the Committee raised concerns about local authority capacity to deliver the priorities set out in the spatial strategy and key policy goals. Since then, the Scottish Government has published a summary of responses to the consultation on “Investing in Planning – A consultation on resourcing Scotland’s planning system”, which closes on 7th March. The CC has prepared a response. https://www.gov.scot/publications/investing-planning-consultation-resourcing-scotlands-planning-system-summary-responses-consultation/pages/1/
7. Community Council Business:
Meetings Attended: CCllr Bruce-Jones attended the Kinross-shire Committee on 20th February; CCllr Lamb attended the Glenfarg Transport Meeting on 6th February; CCllr Cheape attended a meeting with Mike Barnacle regarding the Devon Bridge on 25th February and Kinross Trust Meeting on 3rd March.
8. PKC Business – Councillors reports:
Dave Cuthbert:
The budget has been agreed, resulting in a Council tax increase of 9.5%; CCs will get £1000 per year for administrative expenses rather than £700; Bloom groups will get more money; Funding for Music in Schools will continue. The LDP3 Evidence Report is to be discussed on 5th March – it’s 1200 pages!
9. Planning Matters:
Planning Applications
24/01673/FLL Erection of 4 dwelling houses, formation of SUDS and associated works at the Former Craiglaw Poultry Farm, Rumbling Bridge.
The CC had been advised that there were new documents and that additional comments could be made by 28th February. The CC had previously submitted a neutral comment raising concerns about possible contaminated run off water leaching into adjacent grazing fields, and seeking a thorough management plan and contamination testing.
The PKC flood team objected to the plans as they shared our concerns and also there was no SUDS in the plan. The applicant has since had an external company provide a drainage report. Although the proposed plans now have drainage systems as described in the report, the CC agreed that our neutral comment is still relevant as section 5.4 of the report states that excess surface water that exceeds the system will flow overland onto adjacent fields.
25/00112/FLL Alterations to dwelling house and erection of car port at Drumgarland, Crook of Devon, Kinross, KY13 0UL. No CC Comment.
24/01940/FLL Change of use and alterations to ancillary building to form short-term let accommodation unit at Middleton, Fossoway, Kinross, KY13 0PB. No CC Comment
Advance Notice of Planning Application
Scottish Power Renewables propose to install a temporary meteorological mast at Green Knowes Windfarm (approximately 7km southeast of Auchterarder) for a period of approximately 60 months. The CC will review once we have formally been notified by PKC of planning application.
Royal Garden Party: CCllr Lamb proposed that we nominate CCllrs Marchant and Bruce-Jones to attend this event in recognition of their substantial efforts to this CC. There was wide support from both the other CCllrs and MoPs.
Next CC Meeting Tuesday 1st April 2025 7.30pm
Crook of Devon Village Hall
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