A Glenrothes councillor says he is “disappointed” more local members were not given the chance to hear public concerns over a controversial housing plan.
Ross Vettraino, representative for Glenrothes Central and Thornton, added that he was “surprised” that only 10 letters of objection had been received by the local authority over plans to build 11 affordable properties at Tantallon Avenue in Pitteuchar.
The proposals were approved by planning committee members last week, despite widespread concern from residents and a petition containing more than 200 signatures.
Given the extent of people’s concerns, however, Mr Vettraino said he expected more formal objections to have been made. “My advice at the time was for those who hadn’t already provided feedback to the council to do so without delay,” he said.
“In particular, I stressed that I thought it was important that any objections were made before the proposal reached the planning stage because there has to be a sound reason in planning terms before a proposal can be refused.
“The council may not always be able to do what people want but it has a duty to explain its actions.
“It may be that all the 210 signatories to the petition in objection to the development thought that there was no need for individual objections to be made.
“I think that it would have been best if the petition had been submitted to the Glenrothes area committee and I was disappointed to learn that it had been decided not to do so.”
Residents’ concerns had focused on the lack of parking for new properties and the loss of land used as a play space by children.
The seven houses and four flats will see the demolition of the former Bankhead House children’s home.
Since the election of the Labour-led administration in 2012, planning decisions have been taken by three committees in Fife, featuring councillors from across the area.
Previously, such decisions were determined by local councillors at area committee level, allowing all local councillors to consider residents’ concerns.
David Robertson, Fife Council’s affordable housing and regeneration team manager, said that the local authority had utilised feedback from Tantallon Avenue residents before it entered the formal planning process.
“We found the feedback from the community on the pre-planning activity useful, as it highlighted that there was a concern about parking,” he said.
“We were able to address this in our revised proposal, which was then submitted as part of the planning application.”