CAMPION Homes have submitted an appeal to the Scottish Government after their plans to build 80 new homes in Aberdour were rejected by Fife Council.

Last month the west planning committee rejected proposals to develop land beside Nether Bouprie Farm, to the west of the village, in line with a planning officer’s recommendation.

TMS Planning and Development Services, acting on behalf of Campion Homes, said: “It is argued that the proposed development of up to 80 dwellings at Nether Bouprie represents a sustainable and appropriate extension to the village.

“It makes a significant contribution to an ongoing unmet housing need in both the local housing market area and wider Fife area and will deliver much needed affordable housing within the locality as supported by Kingdom Housing Association.”

A planning application by Cala Homes for 85 homes on a site in east Aberdour, off Main Street, was thrown out at the same time by the committee after both proposals attracted more than 1,500 objections.

The Cala development was recommended for approval by council planners and it’s not yet clear if they will appeal.

TMS added: “The Scottish Government reporter for the local development plan examination confirms that development to the west of the settlement is better than to the east for trip generation reasons.

“The proposed development of 80 units in the location proposed will not have a significant adverse impact upon the landscape and character of Aberdour.”

Locals had anticipated an appeal, with Cala Homes calling the rejection a “bad decision”. Campion, based in Dunfermline, had made no comment at the time but will now ask the government reporter to make a ruling.

During consultation concerns were raised about drainage, road safety, traffic congestion, loss of views, pressure on the local primary school, the “unacceptable burden” on the health service, and that the village would be increased in size by 17 per cent by the two developments.

Ian Fleming, chairman of Aberdour Community Council, said: “The Campion Homes proposal was rejected at both levels, by planning officers and the committee, so I’m surprised they’ve taken the decision to appeal but they obviously feel they have a case.

“We will give our feedback to the reporter and put forward the strength and scale of the community’s views. There’s nothing further we can do. The reporter process is the last step so it will give the developer a definitive answer of yes or no.

“Campion did engage with the community well so we did not expect to see an appeal. I think we will also see an appeal from Cala Homes in the next few weeks and we’re expecting to see movement on the Hillside school development as there’s a deadline for re-submitting applications.

“We will just have to buckle down and wait and see.”

MP Lesley Laird said: “Of course I’m extremely disappointed to learn an appeal by Campion has been lodged but, sorry to say, not surprised. When a developer comes back for yet another bite of the cherry it clearly shows why we urgently need reform of the planning system.

“This development was comprehensively rejected – by communities, planners, planning committees and the Scottish Government reporter – yet Campion is able to simply dig in for the long haul.

“It’s simply unacceptable that planning policy allows communities be subjected to this war of attrition.”

Lesley added: “A proposed new planning reform Bill is an opportunity to fix this loop hole.

“That’s why Scottish Labour has called for an amendment to ensure communities are given a fair voice in the planning process and a right of appeal.”