Perth and Kinross Council has approved plans for a new Gypsy/Traveller transit site in Perth despite objections from flood risk officials who warned that the location could face significant flooding in the future.
The decision was made unanimously by members of the council’s planning committee, allowing the project to proceed at a site in North Muirton near the Perth Food and Drink Park. The proposal follows a three-year search by the local authority to identify a suitable location and is expected to cost approximately £2 million.
The development will provide 10 concrete pitches for caravans and vehicles and include an amenity building containing showers, toilets, and office facilities. The site is intended to address a long-standing need for transit accommodation for the Gypsy/Traveller community within the Perth and Kinross area.
The proposal attracted objections from both the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Perth and Kinross Council’s own flood team. Concerns centered on the site’s proximity to the Rivers Tay and Almond, which converge approximately 135 meters north of the proposed development.
Flood risk assessments submitted as part of the planning process indicated that, under a worst-case scenario, the entire site could be submerged under as much as 1.39 meters of water.
Objectors argued that the potential flood risk could endanger future occupants if severe flooding were to occur. However, supporters of the proposal noted that the location has not experienced flooding since 1993 and that mitigation measures and operational procedures could help manage risks during extreme weather events.
During the planning committee meeting, Perth Liberal Democrat councilor Peter Barrett urged colleagues to support the application.
He told The Scottish Sun: “They are mobile, they can evacuate a site quickly, and the operation of the site can be managed if it’s faced with a high risk.
“I implore you to look at this from a practical and not a perfectionist point of view.”
The site was identified following discussions between the council and members of the traveling community. For several years, the area had been used as a temporary stopping location, prompting the authority to explore the creation of a dedicated transit facility. Prior to the planning approval, the project had already received support in principle from the council’s housing officials.
According to the planning report presented to committee members, demand for a transit site remains significant across the region.
The report states: “It is accepted that there is considerable evidence to support the urgent need for a Gypsy/Traveller transit site within the Perth and Kinross Council area.
“In this instance, the site has had historical instances of flooding (hence the implementation of the previous flood defence measures), and in light of climate change, shall see further instances of flooding likely in the future.”
No objections were submitted by local residents during the planning process.
For outdoor hospitality and accommodation operators, the decision highlights the growing importance of balancing site development needs with environmental resilience.
As climate-related risks increasingly influence planning decisions across the United Kingdom, developers of campgrounds, caravan parks, RV parks, and other outdoor accommodation projects may face greater scrutiny regarding flood mitigation, emergency planning, and long-term site suitability.
The Perth decision also illustrates how local authorities may weigh demonstrated accommodation needs against environmental concerns when evaluating future hospitality and accommodation developments.