A controversial planning application to build nearly 50 houses in Kelty has been withdrawn.
Persimmon Homes had lodged a planning application to build 47 homes 27 houses and 20 flats on the Great North Road housing estate in the village.
The application, plus a second for 16 on Seafar Drive on the same site, went before Fife Council’s west area planning committee last month.
However, councillors decided to delay their decision until they had carried out a site visit. This week the application was withdrawn.
The two applications had attracted more than 100 letters of complaint, highlighting worries including overdevelopment, road safety and the integration of the proposed homes.
Councillors echoed those concerns from local residents. The houses were to be a mix of self-build by the council and ones built by the private sector for the council.
Because the applications were for fewer than 50 homes, the company was not required to carry out a formal public consultation before submitting its application.
However, local residents set up an online petition and organised a campaign group Blairadamfields Action Group to try to halt the development.
Issues they raised included sewage and drainage problems, the strain more homes would have on local nursery and primary schools and local medical practice.
They also felt the area was cramped, with the new houses having little garden or parking space. Local MSP Alex Rowley, who had also expressed his concern at the number of flats being proposed, said he understood the company and council were in discussions about the plans with a view to drawing up a revised proposal.
“Hopefully, that revised proposal would be more suitable for the needs of the area,” he said.
“I welcome the fact the proposal is to build council houses. The concern was how many were to be crammed in and the number of flats.
“My biggest concern is the number of flats it is not flats that we need.”
The action group were also worried about old mine workings which lie beneath, flooding problems and the spread of Japanese knotweed.
Picture by George McLuskie