News

New sewage pipe from Burrelton to Coupar Angus

22/6/2021

A new sewage pipe is being built to take excess sewage from Burrelton to Coupar Angus. The pipe will connect with the main waste pipe from the chicken factory down to Coupar Angus sewage works.

Although the Woodside sewage works are also being upgraded, they will still not have sufficient capacity to cope with the extra housing that is being planned for Burrelton. A local resident said that plans for up to 200 more houses in Burrelton had to be shelved some years ago due to the lack of sewage capacity.

For further information see article on Scottish Water website - www.scottishwater.co.uk/In-Your-Area/Investments-in-Your-Area/Burrelton-Waste-Water-Treatment-Works---Improvement-Works

CHANGE OF DATE OF FACTORY CONSULTATION

27/5/2021

A public consultation will be hosted online by Orbit Communications at www.ambercouparangus.com on Wednesday 30th June 2021 (not 3rd June, as previously advertised), from 3-7pm. The consultation concerns two alternate plans by 2 Sisters Food group, which can be viewed via Perth and Kinross Council's planning portal - https://planningapps.pkc.gov.uk/online-applications/.The first (reference number 21/00003/PAN) describes an upgrade to the existing factory, including demolishing a dwelling. The second (ref 21/00004/PAN) talks about demolishing the existing factory and building a new one on the adjacent field.

Sale: upcycled furniture

12/5/2021

SALE SALE SALE! Eye-catching upcycled vintage furniture, hand painted in my studio. Go to
https://www.corneliaweinmanndesign.com/product-category/sale-upcycled-furniture/
to find out what's available and how to buy.

£275m housing scheme could unlock low carbon poultry unit

9/4/2021

By Ewan Pate, Farmers' Guardian, 07 Apr 2021

Birmingham based Amber Real Estate Investment (Amber REI) has formally started a planning process which, if successful, could deliver new poultry processing facilities at Coupar Angus, already the largest and only plant of its type in Scotland.

The ambitious plans are part of an overall scheme which could see £150 million invested in agriculture, food processing and tourism.

Amber REI is a property company which lists Ranjit Singh Borporan, owner of the giant 2 Sisters Food Group, as a director.

Part of the proposal is for a £65m low carbon state-of-the art facility at Coupar Angus on land neighbouring the existing 2 Sisters poultry processing plant. This would unlock the existing site for alternative residential or general industrial uses.

Amber REI also intends to submit a planning application to upgrade the current facility as part of an overall plan to improve and expand the Scottish poultry supply chain.

The plans would include upgrading the feed mill close to Edinburgh Airport and the provision of a new hotel.

There would also be investment in what is described as ’new sustainable farming space’ across West Lothian.

A new animal feed mill is planned for Central Belt in the medium to long-term.

A spokesperson for Amber REI said: “We are delighted to be working towards planning applications for the facilities in Coupar Angus.

“Our ambitious vision for Scotland, of which Coupar Angus is part, will preserve and create jobs, both directly and indirectly, as well as contributing to delivering a low carbon sustainable future for the agriculture sector.”

Amber’s plans will be realised, in part, through the delivery of Drumshoreland Garden Community, a £275m residential-led mixed-use development. This will include about 1,800 homes, including 25 per cent affordable homes.

Planning applications were recently submitted to West Lothian Council.

Change of date of public consultation

2 SISTERS CONSULTATION PLANS

1/4/2021

Change of date of public consultation - now 30th June

2 Sisters has submitted two 'proposal of application notices', seeking approval from Perth and Kinross Council for the type of public consultation it plans to carry out before it applies for planning permission to upgrade or rebuild the factory. The two notices propose an online public consultation hosted by www.ambercouparangus.com on 3rd June 2021, from 3-7pm. The Council has 21 days to say whether it is happy with this. The public has no say over the type of consultation proposed.

The first notice (reference number 21/00003/PAN) describes an upgrade to the existing factory, including demolishing a dwelling. The second (ref 21/00004/PAN) talks about demolishing the existing factory and building a new one on the adjacent field. Further information is available from Perth and Kinross Council's planning portal - https://planningapps.pkc.gov.uk/online-applications/.

Coupar Angus poultry plant proposals launched

25/3/2021

N.B. This press release is published exactly as it was received from Orbit Communications, a public relations company based in Edinburgh.

Amber Real Estate Investment (Amber REI) has formally started a planning process to deliver upgraded and new poultry processing facilities in the future at Coupar Angus, the primary poultry processing plant in Scotland.

This forms part of an ambitious Scottish vision for Amber, realised in part through the proposed delivery of Drumshoreland Garden Community on the site of the company’s poultry farm complex at Clapperton in West Lothian.

This vision could see post-Covid investment nationally amounting to more than £150 million into the agriculture, food production and tourism sectors, supporting 5,750 jobs and delivering low carbon facilities.

The proposal is for a £65 million low carbon state-of-the art facility at Coupar Angus on neighbouring land to the current plant, which the company currently owns. This would unlock the existing site for alternative uses. These may include residential, general industrial, storage or distribution uses. Appropriate uses will be determined through the forthcoming planning application process.

There is also an intention to submit a planning application to upgrade the current facility.

Such investment will generate significant benefits to the local and wider economies, sustaining jobs and supporting the supply chain, as well as improving standards in the sector.

Two Proposal of Application Notices (PAN) have now been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council, heralding the intent to submit planning applications following community consultation.

Community engagement will now take place in advance of applications for planning permission for works to the current facility, and planning permission in principle for the delivery of a new plant along with redevelopment options for the current site.

This vision for Amber will be realised, in part, through the delivery of Drumshoreland Garden Community, an ambitious £275 million residential-led mixed-use development. This will include around 1,800 homes, including 25 per cent affordable homes (c. 450). Planning applications for this were recently submitted to West Lothian Council.

A combination of the Drumshoreland development and other investment across Scotland in the agriculture, food and tourism sectors could see the potential for £425 million (£275 million for Drumshoreland and £150 million across the rest of Scotland) being invested, supporting 5,750 jobs and delivering new state of the art low carbon facilities.

The initial plan is to improve, replace and expand elements of the Scottish poultry supply chain, strengthening this vital and significant rural employer.

This would include:

Upgrading of feed mill and provision of new hotel at Edinburgh Airport.
New sustainable farming space across West Lothian.
A new animal feed mill located in the Central Belt in the medium to long-term.
Medium and long-term investment in the site at Coupar Angus

These new state-of-the-art low carbon facilities will create jobs both directly and indirectly through the supply chain. The delivery of these improved facilities will also serve to assist in improving standards in the sector while making a major contribution to the Scottish Government’s target of a net-zero society in terms of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

Commenting on the proposals, a spokesperson for Amber REI said:

“We are delighted to be working towards planning applications for the facilities in Coupar Angus.

“Our ambitious vision for Scotland, of which Coupar Angus is part, will preserve and create jobs, both directly and indirectly, as well as contributing to delivering a low carbon sustainable future for the agriculture sector.

“We would urge the community to become fully involved in the consultation process and help shape the proposals for our scheme as It progresses.”

Local MP, Pete Wishart, commented:

“Should planning permission be obtained, it will be fantastic to see this potential level of investment being used to upgrade the current processing facility in Coupar Angus, delivering new state of the art low carbon facilities.

“In addition to creating much-needed employment, it is a tremendous opportunity to raise standards by improving the facilities, delivering high-quality production while tackling climate change and delivering a sustainable future.”

Planning and development consultancy Turley is providing planning, economics and sustainability services for the scheme. Masterplanning and placemaking services are being led by OPEN (Optimised Environments) including integrated architecture and landscape disciplines.

Alex Orr

Managing Director
Orbit Communications
4 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JE
Telephone: 0131 603 8996 Mobile: 0771 891 3299
Web: orbit.scot
PR | PUBLIC AFFAIRS | DIGITAL | DESIGN
Orbit Communications (PR and Public Affairs) Ltd is a limited company registered in Scotland. Registered number: SC395892.
Registered office: 1 George Square, Castle Brae, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 8QF.

Orbit Communications (PR and Public Affairs) Ltd is a limited company registered in Scotland. Registered number: SC395892.
Registered office: 1 George Square, Castle Brae, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 8QF.

Also see article in Farmers' Guardian: £275M HOUSING SCHEME COULD UNLOCK LOW CARBON POULTRY UNIT

CORNELIA BRINGS STYLE, COLOUR AND IMAGINATION TO YOUR WARDROBE

25/1/2021

Local artist Cornelia Weinmann offers a range of unique, hand crafted clothes, prints and cards.

Cornelia is selling on two different platforms:

Perthshire Artisans has a beautiful selection of her 'slow' fashion garments, each one unique, as well as local linoprints.

Also her own website - Cornelia Weinmann Design - offers a delightful range of collages made from recycled fabric, original and digital linoprint cards and larger linoprints.

You can order online or collect items directly, observing Covid guidelines, at Cornelia's studio in Kettins after making an appointment with the designer (please use the contact page on her website https://www.corneliaweinmanndesign.com/contact).

Cornelia is also on Facebook.

Community Council by-election; deadline for nominations extended

20/10/2020

The deadline for nominations for a by-election for Coupar Angus Community Council has been extended to 26th October.

Originally Perth and Kinross Council set a deadline for nominations by 15th October. If the extended deadline of Monday 26 October 2020 at 4pm passes without at least 2 nominations, the Community Council will disband as of 12 November 2020. The by-election was triggered by the chairman's resignation, leaving just two sitting members.

The notice is shown below.

PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL
NOTICE OF COUPAR ANGUS COMMUNITY COUNCIL BY-ELECTION
THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2020

A By-Election is to be held for the above named Community Council.

The by-election will take place on Thursday 12 November 2020 to elect 6 members. Where the number of valid nominations exceeds the maximum number of members for the community council area an election will require to be held.

Persons wishing to represent their community council must be 16 years of age, reside in the community council area and be named on the electoral register for the community council area in which they are standing. A candidate’s proposer and seconder must also be named on the electoral register and reside in the same community council area.

To stand as a candidate a completed nomination form, together with a supporting 50 word statement, must be submitted to the Returning Officer at the address below by 4pm on Thursday 15 October 2020.

Nomination forms and copies of the Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils can be downloaded from the Council’s website, www.pkc.gov.uk/communitycouncils or from the Returning Officer at 2 High Street, Perth, PH1 5PH, tel: 01738 475004 or email communitycouncils@pkc.gov.uk

Fiona Robertson
Returning Officer (Community Councils)
Dated: 17 September 2020

Anger and resignations over claims volunteers with additional needs were called ‘bloody useless’ at Perthshire charity

10/8/2020

by Sean O'Neil, The Courier, AUGUST 10 2020, 8.00AM (click here to see article in The Courier)

Multiple members of the Forward Coupar Angus (FCA) board have stepped aside over the claims made by former employee, Pam Mulgrew, who brought the comments to light.

Ms Mulgrew alleged that FCA director, Wendy McCombes, made the remarks at a board meeting in May that was attended by numerous trustees.

It is claimed Ms McCombes said: “Between these four walls I have to say that these people are totally bloody useless,” while referring to volunteers with additional support needs who work at the charity run community garden at Market Park.

Ms Mulgrew said: “I was shocked, but not one person pulled her up on it.

“How can a director of a community organisation have such a low opinion of people.

“How can they run an empowering community programme with attitude. I was appalled.”

Angry parents of the volunteers slammed the comments made by the now-former director as “disgusting”.

Kim Coram, whose son Jay is a volunteer at the community garden, wrote a formal complaint to FCA, demanding action.

The mum told The Courier: “It’s a disgrace to talk about anyone like that in this day and age, it’s disgusting.”

In her letter to FCA, Kim said: “This has been a very upsetting and distressing time for the family as a whole.

“My son suffers with severe anxiety and his confidence is rock bottom to be referred to as ‘bloody useless’.

“In my book and plenty of other people’s books in the community this is totally unacceptable.”

The angry mum believes that Ms McCombes had no choice but to resign from her position.

Chris Collins, general manager of Forward Coupar Angus, replied to Kim’s letter stating that an investigation had been launched in to the “serious” allegations.

He said: “FCA does not condone or support views of any description that seek to discriminate against anyone and in particular those people who may be less able.

“We can also confirm that in response to the serious nature of the allegations, the person you name (Ms McCombes) has stepped aside from any involvement in FCA.”

In a further statement, a spokesperson for the charity said: “Forward Coupar Angus will be seeking guidance from a number of regulatory bodies in addressing and resolving the concerns.

“Furthermore, the trustees who are associated with the current situation have stood aside and Mr Joe Richards has been appointed as the interim Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.”

BULLYING AT FORWARD COUPAR ANGUS, AND THE REPORT THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO SEE

29/7/2020

In May the trustees of Forward Coupar Angus asked their newly-appointed manager Pam Mulgrew to carry out a community consultation. She prepared a questionnaire asking people what they thought of Forward Coupar Angus, and what sort of things it should do. The questionnaire was approved by the chairman of FCA and by the Development Trust Assocation of Scotland. Pam then posted it to members and published it in the Coupar Angus Facebook group. After receiving nearly 100 responses, she drew up a report based on what people had said.

Unfortunately one of the trustees didn’t like the report. She grilled Pam aggressively for an hour and a half, alleging that her report was poor and the questions biased (in spite of them being approved by the chairman and the DTA). Pam felt so intimidated by this experience that she asked the board of Forward Coupar Angus to either approve or reject her report without her attendance at their next meeting.

A short time later Pam received a phonecall from the same trustee, insisting that she came to The Y for a meeting. Pam asked three times for the purpose of the meeting, but no answer was given.

On arriving at The Y, she found out to her horror and disbelief that she was to face a formal disciplinary hearing with the trustee and a Perth and Kinross Conservative councillor.

By failing to give Pam a full explanation of the purpose of the meeting beforehand, and failing to tell her that she was entitled to bring someone with her, the trustees were in clear breach of Government and ACAS guidelines.

Pam is not someone to meekly accept this kind of bullying, and accused the trustee of being a “control freak”. As a result, Pam was accused of “gross misconduct” and sacked.

Pam believes the real reason for her dismissal is that she dared to report accurately what local people had said about Forward Coupar Angus, and what they wanted the organisation to do. Links to the report are provided below: