A developer wrangling with Fife Council over the future of a piece of derelict land in Buckhaven has agreed to follow the local authority’s vision for the area, despite fears it will produce a white elephant.
For several years Janette Penman has hoped to build houses at the former Diosynth chemical works in Percival Road and says that is what local residents want.
But the council views the site as crucial to the economic future of Levenmouth and wants it to form part of a of a low-carbon investment park to complement the nearby energy park.
Mrs Penman, director of Penman Homes, is now preparing plans for small-scale business park to match the local authority’s blueprint but has questioned whether anyone will want to buy the units.
Her submission of official notice known as a proposal of application notice (PAN) that she intends to apply for planning permission follows a council decision to force her to sell the 10-acre patch of land.
It also comes after her proposals for residential development ran into opposition from Levenmouth councillors for a third time.
Mrs Penman’s agent, Deborah Muir, said the company wants to see the “eyesore” built upon one way or an another and if business units sell, it will build them.
She said: “Ultimately this isn’t what we wanted to do with the site but we have to protect our own economic interests. We aim to submit a planning application that is in line with what the site is zoned for.
“We are looking to create a mixed use of industrial, warehousing and offices that would sit in with the council’s proposed use for the wider site.
“There are quite a few white elephants in Fife and I hope this isn’t going to be another one.”
But she added: “We are the landowner and we can develop the site, so why should Fife Council be able to take it from us to do the same thing?”
Council senior manager for development and buildings, Jim Birrell, said the council had also submitted a PAN for an industrial development on the Diosynth site and land to the north but was yet to lodge a planning application.
He said: “This was agreed at the executive committee meeting on December 4 2012 and will be going ahead in due course.”
Nevertheless, Mrs Penman is pressing on with her latest planning application for a care home and housing for the over-55s.
While the Levenmouth area committee has already recommended it is rejected, it will be the subject of a hearing before a determination by the full council.
A public meeting to consult residents on the business park plans is to be held in the Buck and Hynd pub on March 16, from 10am to 1pm.