Expansion of an upmarket neighbourhood in rural north-east Fife could make it look like an urban housing estate, inhabitants fear.
Drumoig village could increase in size by 25%, with the addition of 35 houses, a shop, play area and community orchard.
New recreational, leisure and commercial facilities, including a shop, would replace the vacant Scottish National Golf Centre building.
Expansion of Drumoig Golf Hotel would also include three guest lodges.
The village, a luxury development of large detached houses and bungalows on the edge of an 18-hole golf course, was created off the A914 between Leuchars and Newport around 20 years ago.
Drumoig Community Trust has warned Parkhill Construction’s plan would destroy the settlement’s open, spacious feel and make it look more like a town housing estate.
It has also suggested houses at the village gateway should have larger plots and driveways to reflect the “prestigious” character referred to by Parkhill.
Trustee and resident Alec Burden told The Courier: “When you look at the layout of the 35 houses proposed it looks congested at the entrance and more like an urban street scene than an open rural setting.
“The impact on the entrance to Drumoig is people’s main concern.”
He said removing just five homes from the proposal would allow a better layout of houses at the entrance.
Fife Council’s north-east planning committee postponed a decision on planning permission to allow councillors to visit the village.
Councillors will also see the old Pickletillum Inn at the other side of the A914, where the developer wants to create eight mid-market rental flats as part of its affordable housing contribution.
An earlier proposal for 31 houses, 10 retirement homes and 21 holiday chalets was withdrawn in April due to a lack of support from council officers.
Parkhill’s agent Montgomery Forgan Associates said the revised scheme addressed fundamental criticisms of the previous master plan and would make Drumoig a more “rounded and sustainable” place to live, providing leisure and recreational facilities for the benefit of the community.
It also said the housing layout followed the existing pattern, with similar plot sizes and housing design, so the additional homes would fully integrate with the landscape of Drumoig.
Council planners had recommended the applications for Drumoig and Pickletillum Inn be approved.
While accepting the entrance to Drumoig would be forever changed, their report stated the development would “knit together” the currently disparate cul-de-sacs, making the settlement more like a traditional village.
The applications will be brought back to the committee following the site visit.