Councillors voted to grant planning permission in principal for the Scone North project despite more than 900 objections being lodged over concerns including traffic and pollution.

John Stephen, managing director of Perth-based construction firm A&J Stephen, said that if no decision was taken at Wednesday’s development management committee, he would appeal to Scottish Ministers “within a week”.

He told the committee: “This development is vitally important to the company and its workforce.”

Councillor Willie Wilson said he raised an amendment to approve the plan “with a heavy heart”.

The alternative, he said, was to allow the plan to be considered by an “outsider” from the Scottish Government’s appeals division.

Protesters gathered with placards and banners outside Perth and Kinross Council’s High Street headquarters ahead of the meeting.