LUXURY apartments in Dalgety Bay are finally up for sale – after a 26-year saga over the upmarket scheme.

The St David’s Harbour development will see 24 flats built in four blocks by Inverkeithing’s Muir Homes.

It’s the culmination of years of numerous plans, appeals, dismissals and legal action, including a case in the Court of Session, about the proposals to develop the land next to the Forth.

Work started on the south pier in the town in September last year after planning permission was granted for the properties, a small lighthouse and a bistro.

Muir Homes have now announced the first release of the two and three-bedroom apartments which are set to cost between £185,000 and £269,995.

Ash Sheikh, sales and marketing director for Muir Homes, said: “St David’s Harbour in Dalgety Bay will combine modern living with a classical design.

“It is the perfect location for house hunters who are looking for a luxury lifestyle in a peaceful coastal location, but are keen to remain within easy reach of Edinburgh.

“The development will also appeal to those who have been priced out of the Edinburgh market, as the excellent transport links make commuting an option.

“We expect demand to be very high for our newly-released apartments, especially as there hasn’t been a new-build development in Dalgety Bay for a number of years.

“Buyers who reserve early will also be able to choose their own kitchen and bathroom from a range of options.”

Fife Council approved a masterplan in 1992 for a ‘harbour village development’ that comprised bar / restaurant /shopping facilities in the southern part of the site.

In 2005, they refused an application by Eadie Developments Ltd for a commercial pub / restaurant development and an appeal to the Scottish Government was later dismissed.

A reporter from the government’s DPEA (now the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division) held a public local inquiry in the town in 2007, after Eadie Cairns submitted an appeal relating to an application for outline planning permission for a commercial, leisure and residential development.

Outline planning permission was granted but two more applications by Eadie Cairns were refused by the council. Fresh plans were presented but a “significant number of objections were received” and Eadie Cairns appealed to the DPEA on the grounds the council had not determined the application.

The South West Fife area committee refused the application in 2012, a decision backed by the Scottish reporter.

But after Eadie Cairns took the case to the Court of Session, the reporter then allowed the appeal and planning permission was granted.