Homes, businesses and a school in Perth will be heated by power harnessed from the River Tay as a new innovative project is launched in Tayside.

Councillors unanimously backed the business case for the £8 million environmentally friendly plan. The project will use water heat pumps to capture renewable energy from the river and created a district heating network which will supply heap heat to buildings in Tayside areas such as North Muirton, directly adjacent to the Tay.

“We in Perth and Kinross have an opportunity with this scheme to lead the field,” said Councillor John Kellas.

The scheme, in its first stage, would supply affordable heating to four business plots, 211 houses, North Muirton Primary School and the Colonsay Centre.