CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 85 new homes in Aberdour that were refused by Fife Council are set to be approved on appeal.

The Scottish Government reporter issued a notice of intention that said he was "minded to grant planning permission" to Cala Homes for a site south of Main Street.

The news was met with fury with Tory councillor Dave Dempsey accusing the DPEA (planning and environmental appeals department) of using out of date figures and Green MSP Mark Ruskell stating that ministers must "rethink this decision urgently".

Council officers had recommended approval but more than 800 objections were submitted and councillors on the west planning committee rejected the proposals last July.

Cala's site was not included in FIFEplan, the council's development plan for what can be built and where, and the firm said there was “a vocal and organised anti-development group” in the village.

They appealed and while a final decision is yet to be made, the reporter, Stephen Hall, said yesterday that "the proposed development accords overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan and that there are no

material considerations which would still justify refusing to grant planning permission".

It will be approved subject to planning conditions and a legal agreement being reached.

Mr Hall said the main issues in the appeal were: housing land supply; prime quality agricultural land; landscape and visual impact; traffic and road safety; and the status of the emerging replacement strategic development plan.

Cllr Dempsey, who represents Aberdour, said it followed the overturn of a council decision on homes in Crossford last week.

He said: “Once again we have an unaccountable, unelected official allowing through a planning application that was opposed by the public and rejected by councillors.

"Once again, Fife Council cited the new South East Scotland Plan (SESplan 2) that contains up to date, realistic figures for housing need in Fife.

"Once again, the official dismissed those as SESplan2 is stuck in a ministerial in-tray."

He cited parts of SESplan 2 that say fewer new homes will be needed in this area, the average housing land requirement will drop from 2,240 to 878 per year, and the reporter's statement that the new plan "remains unapproved".

Cllr Dempsey added: "In translation, this says that the up-to-date figures can’t be used, that the next stage in making them usable is ministerial approval and that the minister has been sitting on them for months.

“This isn’t some sort of intellectual exercise.

"These decisions have a huge effect on villages like Aberdour and Crossford. The very least they deserve is that they’re made using the best and most up-to-date data.

"That needs a Scottish Government minister who’s awake and on the case."

Mr Ruskell, the Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: “This decision makes an absolute mockery of the Fife development plan, our planning process and local democracy as a whole.

"The community has played by the rules at every stage, participating in drafting the plan, lodging their response to the proposals, and working with their local representatives.

"The Scottish Government reporter has ridden roughshod over local wishes."

He added: "There are multiple reasons why this development is not suitable – from traffic and safety concerns on Main Street, to pressures on the local school and doctors surgery, and the fact that it doesn’t provide genuinely affordable homes of the type local people need.

"I’ll be writing to the Scottish Government to make it clear that they need to rethink this decision urgently.”

Cala were understandably pleased and planning manager Steven Cooper said: “We are delighted that the reporter has endorsed the recommendation of the council's officials who recommended that permission should have been granted in July last year.

“Council officers have consistently supported the principle of development on this site through local plan preparation and the planning application process.

"The reporter’s balanced consideration of the proposal re-affirms the suitability of the site and the proposal."

He added: "The reporter recognised the severity of the housing shortfall in Fife and this outcome is great news for people who wish to live in Aberdour and those who are currently on housing waiting lists in the area.

"We have already received a number of calls from interested parties who are keen to secure a new home in Aberdour.”

At the same committee meeting in July last year, councillors also rejected Campion Homes' plans to build 80 homes in Aberdour, on a site at Nether Bouprie Farm.

It was also not included in FIFEplan but council officers recommended refusal and their stance was endorsed by councillors.

Campion submitted an appeal but it was refused by the reporter in November.