TAYLOR WIMPEY'S controversial plans for a 1,400-home development in Halbeath have been put on hold for planning issues to be clarified.

The site of the proposed development is on 82 acres north of Pleasance Road and would include 350 affordable homes, a community hub, serviced sites for shops, a health centre and primary school.

The plans also include an area for economic development adjacent to Whitefield Road, improvements at Whitefield Road and Halbeath Road junctions, the onward extension of the northern link road through the site, community open space and green network measures and associated infrastructure.

This week, Pauline Mills, Taylor Wimpey East Scotland's land and planning director, confirmed: “We’re aware that Fife Council is conducting an education capacity review to consider its future secondary education requirements for Dunfermline, including the Local Development Plan sites proposed for the north of the town.

“Whilst this important review is carried out, we are still fully engaged in regular design project meetings with Fife Council, and we are continuing to work on our emerging masterplan for Halbeath.

“We’re keen to reassure the local community that we remain fully committed to working together with the Community Liaison Forum (CLF) and Fife Council to bring forward a development masterplan that will positively transform this area of north Dunfermline.

“It is our plan to meet with the CLF in the next four to six weeks in order to present our progress in relation to the Halbeath masterplan to allow us to consider their comments and feedback as we progress with our vision for the development.

“We also hope to have the opportunity to engage with the local community at public consultation events later this year as our proposals for the development emerge.”

Pam Ewen, Fife Council's senior manager for planning, said: “The infrastructure requirements are set out in our proposed Local Development Plan, which is currently being examined by the Scottish Government planning and environmental appeals division.

“We will continue to work with Taylor Wimpey and other developers to make sure requirements are included in their development proposals.

“Investment in new house building is important to Fife’s economy and we welcome that Taylor Wimpey will continue to liaise with the community to develop their plans.”

The firm has also submitted two planning applications for 208 new homes at Old Duloch House, off Aberdour Road.

The 28-acre 'Meadowlands' site comprises two areas of land and a separate application was submitted for each.

The proposals include plans for contributions towards additional education capacity, and affordable homes.