A MAJOR development to build 225 homes at the former Hyundai / Motorola 'white elephant' factory in Halbeath is set to go ahead after receiving approval from Fife Council.

Builders Persimmon Homes and Bellway Homes have been granted planning permission for the first phase of homes at the Dunlin Drive site, which previously housed the electronics giant's mothballed semiconductor plant.

Newcastle-based energy firm Shepherd Offshore received planning permission in principle (PPP) for a multi-million-pound masterplan last year, and the application for 225 homes has been submitted as part of the conditions stipulated under the PPP.

The Press previously told you that the firm has been given the go-ahead to create up to 450 new homes, as well as a green energy hub, a hotel, offices and education facilities at the site.

Mr Chapman added, “After many long years of seeing this site lie dormant, it’s encouraging to see the start of some activity with phase one of the plan now going ahead.

“The site sits on the M90 corridor and this attractive location should present a range of job creating opportunities as the economy grows and the more we can focus on bringing sustainable, well-paid jobs to this part of Fife the better.

“There is significant economic potential in Dunfermline and West Fife and the council, Scottish Government and business community need to work hand in glove to realise all these opportunities.

“This phase one development, I hope, will act as a catalyst for other economic activity on the site and that’s good for everyone in the area.”

Fife College moving to the Shepherd Offshore site also remains a possibility; plans to relocate from its current base at Halbeath have been a burning issue locally for years, even before the then Carnegie College became part of a Fife-wide organisation.

However, Mr Chapman, who would prefer to see a move to the city centre, struck two notes of caution.

He said, “The future of Fife College is also being linked into developing this site and while the college board must make that decision for themselves, I have still to be convinced that an out-of-town college is the best solution for the college, their students and the long term prosperity of Dunfermline town centre.

“In addition, I have written to Fife Council’s executive director of education to have firm reassurances that should this phase one development expand rapidly into a phase two, then we have sufficient school places to the catchment areas for Duloch, Carnegie and Woodmill schools.

“We’ve been here before and the SNP had to sort the mess left by a previous Labour council administration – that cannot be allowed to happen again.

“Parents need an immediate reassurance that we have sufficient primary and secondary school places to meet the needs of the number of young people and that their figures account accurately for the expansion in house building currently being experienced in the area.”

Shepherd Offshore said they would not be commenting on plans for the site at this point.