A Fife Council enforcement officer is investigating why a polytunnel erected by a local environment group last month is larger than one that was granted planning permission last year.
The case has been taken up by the council following complaints by several Falkland residents about Falkland in Bloom’s new polytunnel at Sugar Acre Nursery.
Falkland in Bloom, which for many years has attempted to improve the local environment through horticulture, recycling, sustainability and conservation, was granted full planning permission for the polytunnel in May last year.
The 19.2m x 7.3m x 3.2m steel tubed and polythene clad structure was granted temporary permission for five years, and was erected last month.
But several residents of nearby Pleasance have contacted The Courier to say they have complained to Fife Council because the structure put up is “considerably bigger” than what was proposed.
They say the tunnel put up measures 19.2m x 11m x 3.6m and is much larger than three nearby tunnels granted permission to the former Falkland Employment Access Trust in 1998.
They also say it is clear from planning documents that the entire Sugar Acre Nursery site has operated without planning permission since 2006.
Retired police officer John Todd, who has lived on the Pleasance since 1976, said the polytunnel is a “blot” and he would have objected to the application had he known it was going to be so big. He said: “It’s more Falkland in Gloom than Falkland in Bloom.”
Grant Davies, 56, whose garden also backs on to Sugar Acre, is a former Falkland in Bloom volunteer. He said: “My wife and I used to be involved with Falkland in Bloom but we are no longer involved after raising concerns about this polytunnel.”
William Suttie, 62, who has lived on the Pleasance for 30 years, said the polytunnel “detracted from his visual amenity” and believed the tunnel was a “back door attempt by Falkland in Bloom to turn it into a commercial site” several years after they had permission for a plant sale operation rejected.
Falkland in Bloom chairman Doug Young said the larger polytunnel was an “oversight” and discussion was under way with Fife Council planning service.
A social enterprise was being established alongside Falkland in Bloom that will work alongside it.
Volunteers and the support of the community were still vital, he said. Social enterprise gave the opportunity to expand efforts to other Bloom communities across Fife without impacting on the work done to keep Falkland blooming.
Fife Council service manager Stuart Wilson said: “I can confirm we have received an inquiry about the polytunnel. An enforcement officer visited the site and we are currently processing the investigation.”
Peter Howden, development manager, said: “Falkland in Bloom are in the process of setting up a social enterprise company. The purpose of that not for profit company will be to grow and supply flowers and plants for future competitions in Falkland and other areas of Fife too.”