Councillors have been accused of making a “deplorable” decision by rolling back on a planning decision which would have forced a house builder to pay for the upgrade of children’s play parks in Kirkcaldy.
Sandford Park Ltd has permission to build properties at Chapel Level on the condition that nearby play areas are refurbished and a cycle path is built.
Parent company Ambassador Homes has already sold dozens of luxury four and five-bedroom detached houses on the neighbouring site but Sandford Park claims construction cannot go ahead unless the council removes an obligation to pay £110,000 for the park and cycle path.
In a report put before a meeting of Kirkcaldy area committee on Wednesday, planner Kevin Treadwell said: ”The developer has advised that they intend to complete approximately 30 units in the event this application is approved to assess the market.
”The applicant is proposing to reduce the payment required by £110,000 through the removal of the required sums for the pedestrian and cycle way and the play equipment contribution. Given the downturn in the current housing market and the banking restrictions existing in the current economic climate, the proposed revision ” is not considered unreasonable.”
Councillors agreed and decided that the developer should not pay for the play park upgrade and cycle path.
Maureen Closs of Fife pressure group Campaign against Charges and Cuts described the decision as ”deplorable”.
She said: ”The fact that councillors feel this is appropriate is quite astonishing. Are we really expected to believe that this company, which clearly has money to splash out on high-grade housing, can’t afford to pay for a play park and a cycle path? £110,000 is peanuts to them.”
The Courier contacted Ambassador Homes and Sandford Park Ltd but they declined to comment.