THE ‘Dockyard Digs’ scheme could be extended for another 12 months to allow the aircraft carriers project to be completed.

Plans have been lodged with Fife Council to allow the temporary accommodation pods on Castle Road to continue to be used by Rosyth Dockyard workers until the end of 2019.

Permission was finally granted in 2014 to build digs for workers on the two warships and the Queensferry Crossing but this is due to expire on December 31, 2018.

The controversial scheme split local opinion at the time with opponents arguing that it would devalue their property and potentially cause anti-social behaviour.

Councillors rejected the plans twice but the decision was overturned on appeal by a Scottish Government reporter.

Applicant Capital and Provincial (Ltd) stated: “At the time when the planning permissions were granted it was expected that the Queensferry Crossing and the aircraft carriers would have been completed by the end of 2018.

“However, this is not the case. Work on one of the aircraft carriers at Rosyth Dockyard is on-going and is set to continue beyond 2018. Therefore, planning permission is required to allow the accommodation pods to remain for an additional period. In the circumstances, a further 12 months from the end of 2018 is sought.”

Only 69 of the original 76 planned pods were assembled in 2014. The whole site lies on the west and east side of Castle Road and includes a management office.

The application also seeks to vary the conditions on who can stay in the accommodation, restricting them to just aircraft carrier workers.

Although HMS Queen Elizabeth has set sail, work is still being carried out in Rosyth on the second aircraft carrier, the HMS Prince of Wales. The Aircraft Carrier Alliance predict that sea trials for the ship won’t begin until 2019.

The application further states: “The accommodation pods are providing valuable short-term accommodation for people working on the aircraft carriers.”

Capital and Provincial stressed that have been no anti-social behaviour complaints relating to the pods over the last few years and believe extending the accommodation period would not result in “significant detrimental impact”.

They say the accommodation has operated successfully over the past four years and is controlled and managed by an on-site team, adding that the scheme brings economic benefits to the local community while a major infrastructure programme takes place.

HB Hydraulic Engineering, based at the dockyard, have written in support of the proposal, saying they have been using the digs for most of their workers since January last year.

The firm said: “We have found that working with the staff at the site is of great assistance to us and our workers. At any time, if there have been any issues with e.g. appliances, these have been repaired/replaced in a timely manner.

“If there have been disturbances (which have been few), the team there always works together with us to reach a solution or compromise.

“Having the developments staffed 24/7 brings peace of mind to us and more importantly to our workers. The location of the nearby shop has been great and as none of our workers have transport, as they are from Europe, the location is perfect as they can walk easily to their workplace.”