THE suggestion that Fife Council approved an extension at Halbeath Retail Park because of a ‘ransom strip’ has been dismissed. 

The controversial proposals, which include a new Lidl store and M&S Foodhall, were approved by the west planning committee in February. 

Planning officers had opposed the application, which includes a number of non-food units and should create 200 jobs in Dunfermline, but councillors voted it through. 

The Press was contacted by a source who asked to remain anonymous and inferred the council needed to keep the retail park owners, Royal London Mutual Insurance Society, onside because of a “ransom strip”. 

This is because the indicative line of the northern distributor road, the council’s proposed bypass to serve new housing estates and take traffic away from the town centre, goes through the owners' land. 

If they choose to go ahead on the suggested route, the council will need to enter negotiations with the applicant, Royal London Asset Management, about acquiring or using the strip of land – and the issue has been discussed. 

But any suggestion the committee’s decision was influenced by the possibility that the ‘ransom strip’ would be required in the future has been shot down. 

A spokeswoman for Royal London said there was “no substance to these rumours”. 

And Councillor Bob Young, who had the casting vote on the committee, said: “It was never on the table. I can assure you that nothing was put in front of us with any reference to strips of land. 

“There was a submission put in front of the committee about a retail development and that’s what we took a decision on.”

Discussions have taken place between the council and Royal London and the ‘ransom strip’ does exist. 

Planner William Shand’s report to the committee acknowledged that the “northern part of this site is identified as the potential route of the northern distributor road” and it was “therefore also important that this route is not prejudiced by this application”. 

One of the conditions of approval for the extension is a £703,000 contribution for strategic transport improvements, likely to be for the relief road. 

Mr Shand said Royal London initially indicated they wouldn’t pay the sum of money but would instead offer to “guarantee access to the land” for the road. 

They then changed their minds and said they would make the financial contribution. 

Mr Shand added: “Nonetheless it is disappointing that the applicant has withdrawn the offer of access to the land for the delivery of the northern distributor road. 

“Not only could consideration have been given to this being taken instead of a monetary contribution but this would have been considered to be a positive material consideration. 

“The offer of access to the land would have helped to realise the delivery of the northern distributor road sooner which would could help alleviate congestion on the roads throughout Dunfermline earlier to the benefit of the public and the delivery of strategic aims of the proposed FIFEplan.”

The council’s service manager Mary Stewart said: “The plans for the Halbeath retail park extension show an indicative position for the northern relief road, in line with the Fife development plan. Plans for this road are not part of this application.

“If this retail development goes ahead it would not prevent the road being constructed. 

“However, there are no detailed designs in place yet, so there are no ongoing negotiations about getting access to the land needed to construct the road.”

She added: “During the planning application process the developer did indicate they might give the council access to this land in lieu of a financial contribution to strategic road network improvements. 

“However they later opted to make the monetary payment which is required by the development plan. Members were advised of this in the report on this application.”