The future of a derelict piece of land at the centre of a long-running wrangle will finally be determined at a full Fife Council meeting.
Every councillor in the region will have a say over what happens to the former Diosynth complex on the outskirts of Buckhaven.
Developer Janette Penman has been trying for several years to secure planning permission for housing and a care home on the land at Muiredge Industrial Estate.
However, the council says the site is crucial to the economic future of Levenmouth and wants it to form part of a low-carbon investment park to complement the nearby energy park.
A similar application by Mrs Penman was turned down by members of Levenmouth Area Committee in 2010 and a subsequent appeal to the Scottish Government reporter was dismissed on the grounds that the land was not a suitable location for a residential development.
The local authority agreed last year to proceed with a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to force her to sell the site but this has yet to be served by Scottish ministers.
The ongoing battle was brought before the council’s central area planning committee last week, when the developer and objectors each argued their case. The committee will now be asked to form a view before referring the case to the full council.
Speaking on behalf of the trustees of Wemyss Estate, which owns land surrounding Mrs Penman’s site, Alistair Wood from real estate firm Savills said the land in question formed a crucial part of the area’s future.
“Terms have been agreed between Wemyss Estate and the council and a compulsory purchase order has been agreed,” he said.
“This doesn’t just impact on the local plan for employment opportunities, it has an impact on the whole of Fife.”
Alan Baxter from the Davidson Baxter Partnership said on Mrs Penman’s behalf that she wanted to provide much-needed affordable housing in Levenmouth.
He said her proposal was supported by the community and that Mrs Penman had offered Fife Council £180,000 as compensation for loss of employment land.
However, the local authority wants to buy the site at a price substantially below the market value, he added.