PLANS for 44 homes in Dalgety Bay got the go-ahead despite a firm warning that “jobs would be put in jeopardy”. 

Inverkeithing’s Muir Homes have been given planning permission from Fife Council to develop a brownfield site in Donibristle Industrial Estate. 

But two neighbouring firms fear that noise from their activities would lead to complaints from residents and, potentially, action to restrict their operations. 

An agent for Dyce Carriers said: “They employ 30 people locally and these jobs would be put in jeopardy should this application be approved. 

“It would alter the local environment in a way which would disadvantage the company, and the planning system should operate to offer protection to existing uses in situations such as this.” 

A previous application to build 47 homes on the site, at Fulmar Way, was refused permission in 2015. 

But Muir Homes submitted a new application, which was approved by the west planning committee last week.

In their letter of objection, Grant Construction said: “There are industrial and commercial businesses on three sides of this development, with heavy haulage operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which can only lead to complaints from new residents about disturbance that they may feel inappropriate to residential living, which is understandable since it is an industrial estate.

“We operate a haulage and construction facility and employ over 60 employees, 90 per cent of them from the West Fife area, and the last thing we want is for this housing proposal to have an adverse effect on our ability to operate from our premises, which we have done so successfully for the last 30 years.”

Council planning officers said “insufficient information” had been provided to conclude that noise from neighbouring industrial uses could be adequately mitigated. 

A report to the committee said: “It is agreed that there is a risk that the future residents of this development would suffer from unacceptable levels of noise impact. 

“The noise assessment has not alleviated these fears and public protection have raised a significant concern.”

Council officers recommended refusal but, after councillors voted 6-6, the casting vote went to committee chair Bob Young. 

He approved the plan and said: “I had previously voted in favour of it so when it comes to the casting vote you can’t just change your mind and go the other way. 

“We had a long debate and a lot of discussion and at the end of the day a decision was taken. That’s democracy.”

On the concerns of the firms, he said new residents would have no grounds for complaint, as they would know the houses were next to an industrial estate. 

He added: “If you move into a flat above a pub you can’t then complain about noise from the pub. 

“It would be different if it was the other way round, and the businesses were coming after the houses, but they’re not.”

Plans for the site, with Asda to the west, houses to the south and existing industries to the north and east, attracted 75 objections and six letters of support.  

Dalgety Bay Community Council objected to the proposed access route via Bouprie Rise and Otterston Grove, saying an alternative route through Fulmar Way should be considered.

There were also concerns about an increase in traffic, air and noise pollution, the removal of garages and the impact it would have on the town’s services and schools. 

Muir Homes said that a “landscaped acoustic barrier” would be introduced to cut down noise from the industrial estate. 

And their planning statement said: “This site represents an excellent opportunity to provide a broad range of necessary family housing within an area already suited to this type of development.

“The new neighbourhood provides the potential to reinforce the landscape along Fulmar Way and litigate against potential noise. 

“There is also an opportunity to further integrate adjacent footpaths and cycleways into the existing settlement and provide pedestrian links to Asda, the railway station and beyond.” 

As it was approved, a second alternative application for the site, for 51 homes and with access from Fulmar Way, was refused.