A NEW doctors surgery and upgrading of sporting facilities should be a priority for investment as part of plans to develop Prestonhill Quarry.

That's the view of Dalgety Bay and Hillend Community Council, who believe that because there are more houses being proposed for Inverkeithing, it is highlighted the lack of facilities and amenities for the town.

As part of a submission passed on to planning officers who are considering the proposals to develop land on the quarry, the council said they think investment should include the installation of a new full-size 3G football pitch and upgrade of sporting and community facilities on Ballast Bank.

Developers DDR (UK) tabled long-awaited plans last month after months of community consultation and many more years of complex landownership issues that have blocked plans for redevelopment in the past.

A new pier, facilities for water taxis and diving boats plus a new bistro are all part of ambitious plans to transform Prestonhill Quarry.

They’re seeking permission to create a mixed-use development with approximately 180 residential units, holiday lodges, cafe/bistro, associated access, open space, landscaping, SUDS and other infrastructure at the site in Inverkeithing.

Affordable housing will comprise 25 per cent of the overall residential units, in collaboration with Kingdom Housing Association.

If given the green light, it would signal the removal of the deep water pond on the quarry floor which would be filled in and also the cliff face which would replaced with a more gradual slopped bank.

DDR are keen to make sure that the site carries many community benefits so part of the development would mean enhancing the Fife Coastal Path, which goes through the development, with a more attractive promenade.

The proposals have attracted dozens of comments from local residents and groups.

Dalgety Bay and Hillend Community Council said they welcomed the investment the development could bring to the local economy, as well as the infilling of the Quarry that the deem a health and safety issue.

Members have also been positive about the upgrading of the Fife Coastal Path and are supportive of using brownfield sites to build housing.

A statement said: "Investment and jobs the bistro/cafe and lodges would bring to the local area, which has the potential to support the tourism sector and local economy, as well as the wellbeing of local communities which complements the local environment and landscape,whilst creating a destination in the heart of South West Fife.

"Infilling of Prestonhill Quarry has become a health and safety issue with people losing their lives because of accidents at the quarry.

"Upgrading of coastal path with new viewing areas so that local people and tourists can take in t he beautiful views of the Firth of Forth. The upgrading of the coastal path will bring more people onto the coastal path for tourism and recreation."

However, the community council also said they had concerns for the traffic access to the site, fearing there would be more traffic on Spencerfield Road when there is already a lot. They would like to see better use of Hillend Road instead.

They also have huge concerns over the future development of Lytham Hill Wood, which acts as buffer between Dalgety Bay and Inverkeithing. They've requested that it be kept a wooded walkway.

As reported by the Press in June, a survey carried out jointly by Inverkeithing Trust and the town’s community council showed that respondents were not only opposed strongly to current proposals on the table but there was little appetite for filling in the quarry pool.

Comment on the proposals closed last week and they will be put forward to the Central and West Planning Committee in future months,