AN ECO-FRIENDLY housing development is to take shape on the site of what was once one of West Fife's busiest coal mines.

Lomond Homes are working with Fife Council to ensure that the 44-homes development complies with the local authority's 'sustainability checklist'.

Castlehill mine, west of Blairhall, opened in 1965 and was part of the Longannet complex which also included Bogside and Solsgirth. At its peak Castlehill employed almost 800 people but was closed in 1990.

It continued on a care and maintenance basis used for access and ventilation to the Longannet complex.

However, it closed for good after the flooding of Longannet in 2002 ended deep coal mining in Scotland.

In the years since, the derelict site on the A907 Dunfermline-Alloa road has become something of an eyesore but now it is going to be transformed, providing countryside living.

A report to Tuesday's planning committee stated, "The vision of the proposed developments is to transform a redundant colliery site into an attractive, accessible eco village providing an exemplar sustainable development in Fife.

"The proposed development will include a mix of residential properties, including live work units, a community building, allotment space for food cultivation, highquality usable open spaces and a wildlife buffer with sustainable drainage features.

"The initial design concept ensures that the development respects its rural landscape setting.

"Fife Council will continue to work with the Lomond Group upon submission of a detailed planning application to continue the progress made to date and to ensure continued compliance with the sustainability checklist." Several years ago Lomond Homes acquired the site with a view to its ultimate long-term regeneration.

After consideration of various different uses for the site and detailed discussions with Fife Council, it was decided that the most appropriate concept was "an exemplar of high standards of sustainable development in a rural housing development".

Lomond Homes' vision is to transform the redundant mine into an eco village.

The company says, "It will be designed to partly reflect housing vernacular in the local area and preserve some of the mining heritage.

"However, it will also be thoroughly contemporary in design and layout and particularly will utilise the most modern construction methods and materials to minimise energy use and carbon impact." Through a consultation process with the local community and Fife Council and drawing inspiration from "Scotland's Housing Expo 2010", a draft masterplan has evolved which will form the basis for moving forwards with detailed designs for the site.

The company's aim is "not only our intention to create a sustainable development but set out the building blocks for the birth of a sustainable community.

"This will be encouraged by, amongst other things, community growing spaces, a community centre, recycling facilities, a car club and live-work units."