CROMBIE Primary School could be knocked down for affordable housing – in a move described as a “slap in the face” just months after it shut for good.

Fife Council has informed the Crombie Residents’ Association (CRA) of a public information event on 17th August about building 15 affordable houses at the site – although CRA has its own business plan for a community takeover.

Families fought an 18-month campaign to keep the school open but it shut in December.

Tony Orton, vice-chair and secretary of CRA, told the Press that “the closure of the school is still very raw in the village”.

He said the council’s plans “came as a shock”, adding, “The school only closed last December. We fought for 18 months to keep the school, which has been there for 90 years.

“Therefore, to be confronted with a rush to obtain planning permission to demolish the school building for affordable housing when CRA are developing a five-year plan to obtain the site as a community asset touched a raw nerve.

“There has been no consultation – it’s like they’re going to have a meeting and tell us what they’re going to do.” He said South West Fife area councillors were aware of CRA’s business plan, which includes setting up a trust and the possibility of taking over the school site, so “Fife Council’s proposal is like a slap in the face”.

He explained, “Taking over the school is part of an overall five-year plan, the majority of work would be for improving the village and inevitably what the village wants in terms of affordable housing.

The business plan is specifically for taking control of the school and for a mix of charitable and commercial use of the building – there are five large classrooms that could be rented out as commercial units.” Mr Orton said families did not want Crombie “to be an affordable housing estate” but understood that the council was only going to inform residents closest to the school under neighbour notification requirements.

He said, “This is something we want all the residents to know about, not just those living next to the school.” Mr Orton said the proposal came on the back of Fife Housing Association delaying plans to build a further 14 affordable homes at Central Road until 2016, despite already having planning permission.

He continued, “For them to say they don’t believe there’s a requirement for affordable housing and hold off until 2016/17 doesn’t sit well with Fife Council wanting to rush through these plans.

“There certainly needs to be clarity between what Fife Council wants to do with the school and Fife Housing wants to do with the 14 houses they already have permission for.” David Robertson, the council’s team manager for affordable housing and regeneration, confirmed that a drop-in event will take place on 17th August.

He said, “This information event is a drop-in session to provide local residents with information on a housing proposal we’re developing for the area.

“It will give local residents the opportunity to see what’s being proposed in advance of a planning application being finalised and submitted.

“We find these sort of events very useful as the local community can often help us shape the detail of the planning application we submit.

“If and when this becomes a live planning application, people will also have the chance to lodge their comments as part of the formal statutory planning process.

“We’re aware that the Crombie Residents’ Association is also considering the potential for a community project which includes the use of the former Crombie Primary School.” Fife Housing Association did not return a request for comment by the time the Press went to print.