WEST FIFERS will get the chance to have their say over plans for 300 homes at Middlebank at a public exhibition tomorrow (Friday).

Developers Cala Homes want to build the “high quality” properties at the site in Masterton Road, which would take in the Scottish SPCA's former wildlife centre.

The project has already received the backing of the charity, which owns part of the land that would be purchased if the application is approved, and would receive a major financial boost.

Cala also says two agricultural landowners have also backed the plans but owner-occupiers of the following eight Middlebank Holdings (Numbers 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11) wrote to the Press in December to point out this was not representative of the opinions of the Middlebank community as a whole.

Cala submitted a screening request to Fife Council last month and now hopes to see its plans included in the local development plan but the owner-occupiers claim the current Fifeplan completed by Fife Council over-ruled an objection from Cala that the land should be included for development and that the matter is back with the Scottish Office reporter for final review with a decision expected in the spring.

The builders claim the development would benefit the Scottish SPCA and bring “a range of other benefits to the area”.

Planning manager Rod Howat, said: “We look forward to meeting with as many interested local people as possible and for the chance to share our initial proposals.

“The process of designing and seeking approval for a development of this nature is a long process and we are still in the early stages.

“The exhibition provides an excellent opportunity for local people to offer their views and feedback, which helps in fine-tuning the proposals, which is an essential part of the due planning process.”

A quarter of the homes would be affordable housing and there would also be areas of public open spaces and amenity planting.

The public exhibition will be held from 2pm to 8pm at Duloch Community Centre.