7. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential impact on the proposed Shinafoot junction on the A9 at Auchterarder of the announcement that Stewart Milne Homes has gone into administration. (S6O-02980)

I was very concerned to hear that the Stewart Milne Group, which was one of a consortium of developers that are delivering a new junction on the A9 trunk road at Auchterarder, had ceased trading. Our thoughts lie with the affected employees and their families at this difficult time, as well as home buyers.

The situation is clearly developing, so I have asked Transport Scotland officials to confirm their understanding of the implications of recent events and how they might impact on the delivery of the Shinafoot junction. I will respond to Mr Fairlie’s question, and his subsequent correspondence, as soon as possible.

Muir Homes and Stewart Milne Homes accepted the section 75 requirements that were placed on them, which would have seen them fund an on-ramp and an off-ramp at Shinafoot and the A9 near Auchterarder. However, after building half the site, they put in a subsequent application, which was rejected by the local authority, that would have seen them construct an off-ramp only. That would push a great deal more traffic through an already extremely congested Auchterarder, causing real safety concerns about a busy section of the A9 with a very dangerous over-carriageway crossing. The situation has caused a huge amount of upset among the local community, which fears that a serious accident will occur as a result.

Given the uncertainty that has been caused by the fact that Stewart Milne Homes is unable to carry out the work, is the minister prepared to look again at the current proposition and call in the reporter’s decision to ensure that the residents of Auchterarder are served by a safe on and off junction that will provide the safest possible solution?

As I said in my initial response, I will need to take a more considered view of the issue, as it involves planning. In keeping with the majority of appeals that have been dealt with by the planning and environmental appeals division, the case has been delegated to a reporter to make a decision on ministers’ behalf. Ministers therefore have no involvement in the process.

Although Scottish ministers can intervene at any point before a final decision on a planning appeal is issued, a recall direction is a matter for ministers’ discretion. The power is used sparingly and normally only in circumstances in which a proposal raises an issue of genuine national interest. I understand that the reporter has issued a notice of intention. As the appeal is still live, it would not be appropriate to comment on the merits of the proposed development at this stage.