The rejection of a controversial Glenrothes planning appeal has been described as the “best news ever” by a leading campaigner.
Scottish Government ministers rejected proposals to allow planning permission in principle for around 300 homes at Milldeans, in the Newcastle area of the town, following more than two years of fighting by members of the community against the plans.
Isa Vance, secretary of the Concerned Newcastle Residents group (CNR), said that the decision had come as a huge relief, adding: “The feeling in the community is unbelievable.
“When you fight these things you never quite know if you’re going to be successful, like these things are set in stone, so to hear the news is just great.
“I don’t know if everybody has heard the decision yet but it is the best news ever.”
The Scottish Government’s decision should end a saga that has dogged local residents for several years.
After the site was included in Fife Council’s 2013 development plan, residents voiced concern over the scale and suitability of the project, given that Newcastle has only one road junction, at Golf Course Road.
With more than 400 houses already serviced by this one route, there were suggestions that further housing would require emergency services to nominate a local cycle path as a possible secondary access.
Local councillors rejected an application for planning permission in principle last November, however, an appeal was then submitted by Hallam Land Management in January, looking to overturn Fife Council’s decision.
In his findings, David Liddell, reporter for the Scottish Government, said that while road networks could be upgraded, he shared the concerns of many householders, saying that 300 new properties would exacerbate potential traffic issues “to a significant degree”.
All four local councillors had backed community efforts to have the appeal kicked out.
Altany Craik described the outcome as a “victory for local voices” and praised the cross-party work by councillors to support the community.
Councillor John Wincott said that the decision vindicated those taken previously at council level, while Julie Ford said that she hoped this latest development marked “the end of the road” for residents fears.
Meanwhile, councillor Bill Brown added: “I support the need for new houses in the Glenrothes area, but they need to be in the right place with proper access.”
jowatson@thecourier.co.uk
