Kinglassie: Plans to build 211 new homes on farmland

Quale Homes, of Ladybank, have asked Fife Council for planning permission to develop land south of Laurence Park.

The application will go before the West and Central planning committee on Wednesday next week (March 15) and officers have recommended conditional approval and a legal agreement.

As part of the deal, the council will ask for developer contributions to help alleviate capacity issues at local schools and for transport improvements in the area.

The plans include 45 affordable homes, two new access roads, landscaping, footpaths, a playpark and a sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS basin).

The seven hectare greenfield site is currently used for agricultural purposes and is bounded by hedgerows to the north and east.

It lies to the south of Laurence Park and the B921 Kinglassie Road, and west of the B922.

The land is identified as a housing site in FIFEplan, the council's local development plan which states what can be built and where.

There are 11 objections, including one from Kinglassie Community Council, and one letter of support.

Concerns raised include the increase in traffic, road safety, flood risk, loss of agricultural land, lack of capacity at local schools and nursery, lack of healthcare facilities, overshadowing, loss of privacy, increase in noise and light pollution and loss of view.

Quale want to build two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, as well as three-storey blocks of flats.

The proposed mix is 85 detached properties, 38 semi-detached, 31 terraced and 12 flats.

The 45 affordable units would be made up of two detached homes, 10 semi-detached, 15 terraced and 18 flats.

If approved, it's expected the first homes will be ready in 2024 and the development completed in 2028.

A council report to the committee states: "The proposal is compatible with the area in terms of land use, design and scale and will not cause any detrimental impact to the amenity of the surrounding area, and is therefore considered to be acceptable."