Scottish Conservatives Murdo Fraser MSP and Councillor Chris Ahern have accused the SNP of being so arrogant that they think they know what’s best for local communities in Perth and Kinross.
The pair’s call comes after new research from the Scottish Conservatives revealed the SNP have overturned almost 400 local authority planning decisions across the country since the last council elections in 2017.
This includes 14 planning appeals being overturned by Scottish Government Ministers in Perth and Kinross since 2017.
Commenting, Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “These figures are a true reflection on how little interest the SNP have in listening to people’s concerns and opinions in Perth and Kinross.
“They are so out of touch yet think they know what’s best for local communities in the region.
“Ministers already routinely centralise power away from councils like Perth and Kinross. Now they are overruling the local authority here on crucial planning matters.”
Mr Fraser continued: “The Scottish Conservatives believe in empowering local councils to make planning decisions on residents’ behalf and stopping SNP centralisation. Only a vote for us here in Perth and Kinross will stop the SNP and deliver on voters’ local priorities.”
And Councillor Ahern, who is standing again in the Council elections for the Perth City Centre ward, added: “For far too long the SNP have been riding roughshod over local democracy when it comes to planning applications.
“Decisions taken here in Perth and Kinross, such as the contentious one involving the plan to turn part of the former Murray Royal Hospital in Perth into a residential development, are routinely ignored by Ministers in Edinburgh who don’t understand the impact their rulings will have.
“Planning issues simply must be decided locally in Perth and Kinross.
“A vote for me and the Scottish Conservatives on May 5th is a vote to put power in the hands of local people and deliver on your priorities, not the SNP’s priorities.”
