A major Scottish housing developer is set to unveil plans which could change the face of Kinross.

In a bid to address demands for rural living from the workforce of Edinburgh, Persimmon Homes is bidding to create hundreds of new houses.

Two major sites have been selected for development, with a new application being put together for the former Kinross High School site.

A second development would see up to 260 houses created on land at Lathro Farm, between Milnathort and Kinross.

Extensive consultation has taken place in recent weeks between developers, local councillors, officials and residents to shape the plans.

The town of around 4,600 people has long been considered one of the region’s main growth areas.

In 2012 the National Records of Scotland announced Perth and Kinross was the second-fastest growing council area in the country.

Its population was set to expand by as much as a third by 2035.

Though the figures have since been revised down slightly, the council’s is planning for additional housing, infrastructure and schools.

Kinross remains key to that growth, with a number of sites in and around the town identified for future development.

The Kinross High site is of particular importance, given its prominent and sensitive location in the heart of the town.

In May, councillors turned their backs on a possible £3.5 million cash bonanza as they unanimously shot down plans which would have seen the former school building demolished.

The plan for 102 homes misjudged the willingness of local people and councillors to fight for the retention of the listed building and protect the town’s conservation area and listed parish church.

Councillors — including Willie Robertson and Dave Cuthbert — are determined to make sure development is not to the detriment of the community and its infrastructure can sustain a larger population.

They believe housing development must go hand in hand with the replacement of the existing primary school, which is at capacity and assessed as “life expired”.

Mr Robertson said: “Kinross-shire is a lovely county, offering good schooling and fine leisure facilities and those qualities make it an attractive place to live.

“It will also be very easy to ruin what we have and so it is vital the developers are sensitive of that.”

Mr Cuthbert added: “I have had a look at the new Kinross High School plan and it is a great deal better than the previous plan.

“It appears to have addressed a lot of the issues raised by myself and other local councillors and by residents.”

It is understood, however, that no final decision has been taken on the future of the Kinross High building as the developer remains in talks with Historic Scotland.

“We do not want to find ourselves in a Perth City Hall scenario but I do hope the building will not be demolished,” Mr Cuthbert said.

Persimmon Homes East Scotland managing director Jim Kirkpatrick said he was confident the two plans will find favour. He said: “With regard to the Kinross High School site, we are continuing to work on our plans, which we believe will meet expectations for this site.

“We will be meeting with planning officials in the next few days and thereafter intend to carry out further public consultation prior to submitting a fresh planning application within the next few weeks.”

He added consultation with the community on the Lathro Farm plan had led to amendments which would be the subject of further discussions before a planning application is submitted in the autumn.

The revised Kinross High plan will be unveiled to the public by Persimmon at an exhibition at the Loch Leven Community Campus next Wednesday (September 3) between 2.30 and 7pm.