A CROSSGATES homeowner has hit out at a housing company he believes have been “extremely underhand” by not sharing pertinent information that affects his property.

Ogilvie Homes are building 43 homes in the village on a plot at Dunfermline Road that was formerly Reid’s Timber Yard.

At first, Charles Strachan and his wife were happy with the plans they were privy to where their garden was to be bordered by the rear gardens of the new properties.

However, the couple say that Ogilvie changed the plans without any consultation and there will now be a large house approximately one metre from their boundary wall which will block the sunlight from reaching their garden decking.

Mr Strachan, who has lived at Dunfermline Road for the last five years, told the Press: “Obviously had we seen these new plans and had the opportunity to state our case we would have done so.

“We have contacted the planning department at Fife Council and have been told what is happening is legal.

“My issue though is the fact that the parties involved have been extremely underhand in not sharing pertinent information with ourselves and other residents. Therefore denying us our right to object.

“We have contacted Ogilvie builders about our concerns but to no avail, they haven’t even replied to our email.”

Mr Strachan has made a complaint to Fife Council. They have 60 days to reply, by which point the homeowner believes it will be too late.

“By that time the house will be built,” he said.

“We’ve seen workers build a house in just two days and the scaffolding is up for this one.

“There is probably about enough room to put a wheelie bin down between my wall and the house.

“It’s also much taller in height than we expected.

“It’s just not right and that’s why we felt we had to speak out to the Press.”

Alastair Hamilton, development manager with Fife Council, said: “This issue relates to an amendment to the plan originally submitted as part of the planning application, that was changed during the assessment of the case, prior to the final determination of the application.

“We received an enforcement enquiry on July 3, 2020 relating to this issue which is ongoing (subject to COVID-19 restrictions), we have 60 days to provide a response to the enquirer in accordance with the terms of our Planning Enforcement Charter.”

A spokesperson for Ogilvie Homes, which is based in Stirling, said: “We have followed the planning process throughout the progress of this development.

“The layout was approved by Fife Council in November last year and accessible for inspection by any member of the public since its original submission in April 2019.”

The council granted planning permission for 34 three-bedroom and nine four-bedroom homes. In a legal agreement the company agreed to pay £6,750 for affordable housing and £36,420 for transport improvements.