PLANS BY Fife Council to compulsorily purchase a parcel of land in Levenmouth have been approved.
The local authority said the land at the former Diosynth complex on the outskirts of Buckhaven is crucial to the future development of the area.
It wants to transform the site into a low carbon investment park, complete with small-scale industrial units to complement the existing Fife Energy Park.
However, landowner Janette Penman has expressed dismay that councillors nodded through the application without her knowledge.
She has now written to council chief executive Ronnie Hinds requesting a meeting.
Mrs Penman, who is seeking planning permission for housing and a care home on the 10-acre site, had a previous proposal turned down on the grounds the land is zoned for employment purposes on the council’s local plan.
The area has been the subject of a wrangle between Fife Council and MrsPenman for several years, with thecouncil claiming its loss would result in a shortage of employment land inLevenmouth.
Members of the executive committee agreed to the purchase on December 4, and a submission is now being prepared seeking Scottish Government approval.
Mrs Penman’s agent, Deborah Muir, said the land in question amounted to just one fifth of the total site required by Fife Council.
“We offered then £180,000 as compensation for the loss of employment land, but that wasn’t in the report that went to the committee,” she said.
“Mrs Penman is really disappointed at the lack of democracy that lets them have this free hand without the public knowing.
“We had no idea this was coming up at committee and are shocked to hear it’s been approved and no one has told us.”
Ms Muir claimed the compulsory purchase could take years to process and would involve expensive legal costs.
“We’re already offering them money, which they can use to clean up the sites they already own in the area.
“By doing this, the Diosynth site will lie empty for years when we are in a position to develop it now.”
cwarrender@thecourier.co.uk