A HOUSING developer will “ignore” families in Dalgety Bay by submitting a plan to build around 100 houses at Barns Farm.

Persimmon Homes are ready to risk infuriating a town which has twice rejected similar proposals – to the point Fife Council removed the site from a list of those that could be developed. Colin McPhail, the chair of Dalgety Bay and Hillend Community Council, said, “I’m told there will be a planning application submitted early next year.

“It’s disappointing from our point of view. They should take heed of what the community wants.

“What they’re doing completely ignores the wishes of the town and the two public meetings that were held on this matter, where the idea of building houses on that site was strongly opposed.” Barns Farm lies to the east of the town and the site consists of two adjacent plots of land, formerly owned by Shell.

It’s thought that they sold the site to Persimmon Homes who want to build around 100 houses – but they look certain to meet strong opposition.

Jim Kirkpatrick, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, said, “I can confirm that we have submitted written representations to Fife Plan and intend to submit our planning applications for a residential development at Barns Farm, Dalgety Bay, in early 2015.

“Prior to the submission of our applications to the council we will host a public consultation event to gather feedback and opinions from the local community.

“This feedback will help us shape our development proposals.

“Persimmon Homes consider Dalgety Bay to be an ideal location for much-needed new family homes.” There were proposals to develop Barns Farm in 2011 but after local opposition the site was removed from the Dunfermline and West Fife local plan – which says what can be built and where and was adopted in 2012. Fife Council had allocated land in West Fife for 4200 homes but Scottish Government projections since then showed they were short and they have now been told to find new plots for a further 2500 houses.

As part of the consultation for a new Fife Plan, which will replace the plan adopted two years ago and map out development sites for the next two decades, the council suggested Barns Farm was capable of accommodating 100 homes.

But, again after a public outcry, it was removed from the plan in September along with other controversial sites in West Fife, such as Spencerfield in Inverkeithing.

Mr McPhail said, “The new Fife Plan has been out for consultation and the closing date for submissions was 8th December.

“We reiterated our opposition – we had two packed public meetings at the start of the year which were against development there – but what’s happened is, at 11pm on 8th December, their agent put in an objection to the site being excluded.

“This is what happens, developers keep on trying to get their way. It seems a bit pointless as there’s no development proposal in the Fife Plan for this site.

“It will have to go to council committees again, they’ll probably go to the Scottish reporter if it’s refused and the whole lengthy process begins.

“As a community council and a community we’re still opposed to it.

“It’s outwith the town’s envelope and there’s no need for further development there.”